When a person sees their healthcare provider for depression, the provider will:

• Ask questions about the person’s mood
• Use screening tests and questionnaires that can help diagnose depression and how severe it is
• Talk with a family member, if needed, who knows the person’s normal moods and can report changes and family history of depression
• Discuss diseases that cause symptoms similar to those of depression. These diseases include:
  • Stroke
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Chronic kidney disease (especially for people on dialysis)
  • Cancer
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Thyroid problems
  • Chemical imbalances (for example, low potassium levels)
  • Nutritional problems (such as low vitamin B12 levels)
  • Infection
  • Other mental problems (such as dementia or delirium)

Healthcare providers often don’t recognize or treat depression at end of life (when people are dying). Depression and distress decrease a person’s quality of life and make pain and other symptoms worse. Depression can make it difficult for people to say good-bye to loved ones.

Last Updated February 2023