Do you really need a doctor to tell you you're depressed?

[Rojava Free State]

I'm sure we've all seen it online before. There's that one kid with the fifty different photos of asking Alexandria on their Instagram and they say things like "im self diagnosed with sociopathy." Obviously people get annoyed after awhile that said person keep a having to tell every one about how they're more emo than anyone else and they say stuff like " you can't self diagnose! " while I agree that most issues shouldn't be self diagnosed, there is a couple where I make an exception, which are depression and anxiety. Some people say that you can't say you have depression if you never were diagnosed by a doctor as having it. Is that true though? If bill feels that no one likes him and thinks his life is a waste of space on earth, does he really need a doctor to tell him he's depressed, or is it safe to just admit that bill is? If madeline feels anxious, can't she just say she is? Do we need a doctor to tell us how we feel? And is there more to depression than crushing hopelessness and sadness? What are your thoughts on self diagnosed anxiety or depression? Also, since we're talking about medical treatment of depression, do you think we should use medicine to treat depression or more holistic, natural approaches?

[The Underground Movement Union]

I think it should go without saying that by making self-diagnosing okay in any capacity you make it easier for people to exploit for attention. This in turn very much risks undermining and delegitimizes people who are actually depressed.

[Rojava Free State]

I think it should go without saying that by making self-diagnosing okay in any capacity you make it easier for people to exploit for attention. This in turn very much risks undermining and delegitimizes people who are actually depressed.

But why does a person need to be diagnosed with depression? Depression due to biological factors I can understand needs a medical diagnosis, but if you feel isolated or feel like you've lost everything, are you not depressed? Does a man in a white coat need to tell you what you already feel?

[The Black Forrest]

I think you are over simplifying it.

Having a bad month? Sure; might be nothing. It can also be the start of a long process of never getting out the proverbial hole.

There are levels of depression.

It doesn’t hurt to ask. Sometimes you need to hear things like stop drinking and exercise more. Sometimes you really need help when you think you don’t. Especially in the US were mental issues are not really an accepted issue especially for people in high positions.

Would you vote for a President if you learned he was a manic depressive? Bi-Polar, etc., etc.a

[Andsed]

It definitely does not hurt and is a better idea than simply self diagnosing.

[Rojava Free State]

It definitely does not hurt and is a better idea than simply self diagnosing.

I of course support going to a doctor or psychiatrist if one feels this way for an extended period of time. In no way am I saying you should totally shun medical help. I'm just saying, if someone says they feel depressed, do they need a diagnosis to be allowed to say that? I don't think they do

[The Underground Movement Union]

I think it should go without saying that by making self-diagnosing okay in any capacity you make it easier for people to exploit for attention. This in turn very much risks undermining and delegitimizes people who are actually depressed.

But why does a person need to be diagnosed with depression? Depression due to biological factors I can understand needs a medical diagnosis, but if you feel isolated or feel like you've lost everything, are you not depressed? Does a man in a white coat need to tell you what you already feel?

What you bring up is quite tricky to answer, and when answered very easy to misconstrue.

The human mind is a complicated thing. It isn't as simple as "I feel so therefore." No. That's not how psychology works in the slightest. As we've seen from studying the human mind and in this case, depression, depression isn't that simple. There's all sorts of types of depression, methods of approach, and etc. I see nothing wrong with getting confirmation that it is depression from a medical expert, as that's just a part of the process, and it helps much more easily identify what type you may or may not have. You can tell him "I feel this, this, and this," but that doesn't always mean you know how to approach it. But because people like psychologists do because they studied how the human mind works for years, they know best how to treat it. A diagnosis is again therefore, just a simple and important part of the process. You don't approach a battlefield expecting to win and not knowing what your opponent is coming in to swing at you with. The same thing goes for any sort of medical procedure.

[Destriustan]

Yes. While someone self-diagnosing themselves as depressed may actually be depressed, they could actually have a different mental disease. It's always safer to let medical professionals diagnose you.

[The Black Forrest]

It definitely does not hurt and is a better idea than simply self diagnosing.

I of course support going to a doctor or psychiatrist if one feels this way for an extended period of time. In no way am I saying you should totally shun medical help. I'm just saying, if someone says they feel depressed, do they need a diagnosis to be allowed to say that? I don't think they do

They shouldn’t. The problem is they tend to hear it’s not that bad or worse ignored and or avoided.

[Thepeopl]

I think it should go without saying that by making self-diagnosing okay in any capacity you make it easier for people to exploit for attention. This in turn very much risks undermining and delegitimizes people who are actually depressed.

But why does a person need to be diagnosed with depression? Depression due to biological factors I can understand needs a medical diagnosis, but if you feel isolated or feel like you've lost everything, are you not depressed? Does a man in a white coat need to tell you what you already feel?

Self diagnosis is dangerous in the sense that a hypochondriac will see some symptoms and will conclude they are afflicted with that disease/ disorder.

Also if you think you suffer from depression you might not know what helps you best, your doctor has studied for it and can objectively monitor your symptoms/ progress.

For some who suffer manic depression, lithium will help. But it can be very toxic for the body, so regular blood tests are needed.

For others, psychotherapy and physical activity can be sufficient.

Others still can be helped by friends and family. / pets. It really depends on the person and the kind of affliction.

So if you think you are depressed, try to find what works for you, if you cannot cope by yourself, go to the doctor.

[Rojava Free State]

Yes. While someone self-diagnosing themselves as depressed may actually be depressed, they could actually have a different mental disease. It's always safer to let medical professionals diagnose you.

You are right. I guess there is some nuance to this topic, in the sense that while someone may feel depressed, it doesn't mean it's just depression. There could be many different disorders at play, so a diagnosis could clear things up

[Geneviev]

If someone thinks they're depressed, they should go to a doctor. There might be a different problem that's causing them to feel that way, or they're not really depressed and only had a bad day. If they are depressed, they would need a doctor to treat it properly.

[Cetacea]

Self diagnosis is good as it means you acknowledge that something needs to be addressed and can then act. If you are depressed to the point of needing intervention then you should see someone with skill/knowledge.

In my community we’ve started getting skills to families so that we have a pool of Aunties/Nannies who can support those who ask for help before it gets to the point of medical intervention - holistic measures work for most, provided mental health isn’t stigmatised

[The Liberated Territories]

You need a psychiatrist to give you medication, otherwise no. Although there are services in which you can talk to people, the point of that isn't really to get a diagnosis.

[Tinhampton]

In situations like these, perhaps the method of how exactly to be diagnosed bears resemblance to Gender Dysphoria (at time of writing): You can feel like you are suffering under the yoke of Mental Disorder XYZ using the colloquial definitions of the term, and maybe at some later date check with the local doctor to confirm that the symptoms actually meet the medical criteria for XYZ.

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Would you vote for a President if you learned he was a manic depressive? Bi-Polar, etc., etc.a

Not under any circumstances - although my status as a British Citizen might have influenced this response somewhat.

[Page]

It is certainly preferable to seek professional help, but that is not always an option. For example, one might be a minor living with extremely judgmental parents who would not react well to their kid wanting to seek help for mental illness. Or maybe someone is a working class American without health insurance (or with health insurance but the copays are more money than they make in a week). Those who don't have access to professionals shouldn't be disregarded, it can be very useful for them to understand their state of mind and what coping methods are available.

Anyway, psychology is not a hard science. There is an objective answer as to whether one has a broken arm or not, but there is no objectively correct answer as to whether one has depression or not. Diagnosis of a mental illness is based on criteria and exclusions. If you exclude x, y, and z and a person checks 5 out of 8 boxes on a checklist, then one is diagnosed with whatever condition. That's how psychiatric diagnoses are made. But if one checks only 4 out of the 8 boxes, that person still has those 4 problems.

Depression, anxiety, these things are more so on a spectrum, it's not black and white.

[-Ocelot-]

Maybe you can successfully self-diagnose. But what if you need medication? A psychologist can tell you if what you have is temporary/seasonal or more serious. A psychiatrist can then prescribe you drugs, if needed.

If it's serious, it's better to visit a doctor sooner than later.

[Risastorstein]

"Do you really need a doctor to tell you you're depressed?"

A doctor is not only there for a diagnosis which can evolve and get more precise through time but mainly for a treatment and easing your pain. Also, relying on the word of a doctor can put a stop to the endless thoughts of searching what's wrong with you and kickstart your journey towards recovery.

[Rojava Free State]

Maybe you can successfully self-diagnose. But what if you need medication? A psychologist can tell you if what you have is temporary/seasonal or more serious. A psychiatrist can then prescribe you drugs, if needed.

If it's serious, it's better to visit a doctor sooner than later.

That is true

[USS Monitor]

Depends what you mean by "depressed," When someone says, "I'm depressed," that can mean a mental illness or it can mean a mood they are in.

Diagnosing it as a mental illness requires some knowledge of the clinical criteria. Determining that you are in a depressed mood does not require a diagnosis.

[USS Monitor]

Would you vote for a President if you learned he was a manic depressive? Bi-Polar, etc., etc.a

I've heard it suggested that Lincoln was bipolar, and he was a good president. I miss him.

[Andsed]

It definitely does not hurt and is a better idea than simply self diagnosing.

I of course support going to a doctor or psychiatrist if one feels this way for an extended period of time. In no way am I saying you should totally shun medical help. I'm just saying, if someone says they feel depressed, do they need a diagnosis to be allowed to say that? I don't think they do

I mean I agree but I would say it depends on the situation. If your feeling in a sort of depressed mood then go ahead. If your thinking you have depression I would advise someone to get diagnosed before they claim that.

[Kronica]

Yes, yes you do.

Because having a bad week/month can be easily mistaken as depression. Depression is a serious illness that you can't actually self-diagnose by yourself, because it may be just a misunderstood short-term melancholy.

I'm telling those as a professionally diagnosed person with depression and anxiety.

[Risottia]

Do we need a doctor to tell us how we feel?

Depression isn't a "feeling", it's a very well-defined illness.

What are your thoughts on self diagnosed anxiety or depression?

No one should issue a diagnosis about his own mind. Not even a trained psychiatrist.

Also, since we're talking about medical treatment of depression, do you think we should use medicine to treat depression or more holistic, natural approaches?

"Holistic, natural" approaches make absolutely no sense. It's snake oil.

[Arkhane]

Legitimizing self-diagnosis for depression would negatively impact and complicate several things

- The practice of psychiatry, the lost of standards
- Rehabilitation, treatment, medication, neccesities
- Verifying medical leave of absences and insurance
- Priority for monitoring, suicide prevention and other resources

There would be no standards on what constitutes as depression since everyone can just consider themselves depressed. Recommending treatment and the level of care needed would be a difficult. It would also be used constantly as an excuse to miss work/school and to fraud insurances. Mostly, monitoring is going to to be a NIGHTMARE because without proper diagnosing, staff who keep watch on those who claim to be severely depressed and close to suicide will have to play minesweeper to figure out whose about to actually do it and whosw just seeking attention.