Psychiatrist Questions Psychiatrist

Screening for Depression & Anxiety?

Hi, I wanted to know how one would go about getting screened for depression and or anxiety. For close to 2 years now I want to say that I've been experiences waves of sadness and hopelessness that seem too much to just say someone is being sad along with sporadic self-harm. I have not been officially diagnosed with anything nor have I received treatment.

Female | 18 years old
Complaint duration: 2 years

14 Answers

PsychiatristPsychiatrist
Hello, Im Dr. Hoffman and I want to answer your question. Its long, so Id advise you to let AISiri read the full message to you before you dissect it. Here goes! First, I dont have enough information about you to give specific, personalized advicebut I can absolutely educate you on how to get started. 1. Understanding how your environment affects your mental health Humans thrive in supportive, open environments that help us understand ourselves and our place in the world. If you have support but feel like a burden for using it, its important to let people know how to support you. Youre not alone, and its okay to ask for what you need. If youve ever seen Inside Out, you know that sadness plays an important roleit signals when someone needs help. But people cant always read our emotions or know what to do. Thats why its on us to help people understand how to support us. If you dont feel supported or like no one really gets you, then yesfinding that support is needed. And thats okay. Your people are out there. Not everyone thinks like the people around you right now. 2. Your activity and motivation Monotony isnt great for an active brain. Your brain wants to be used and engaged. Things like getting out of the house, moving your body, eating regularly especially protein, having conversations, seeing new thingsall of that activates your brain and helps reduce depression. If you feel like you cant do those things because of your depression, then seeing a psychiatrist might be the best first step. Medications can help quiet the noise and give you enough energy to start engaging again. Think of medication like a bandaidit doesnt solve the underlying issue, but it can make the healing process more manageable. Longterm healing comes from therapy, where you can unpack whats going on underneath. But sometimes its hard to even start therapy if youre deeply depressed. Thats why starting with a psychiatrist who also provides therapyor works closely with a therapistcan help. Look for someone who makes you feel seen and heard, and who can adjust treatment based on your specific needs. 3. Break it down. One day, one action at a time. I know all of this can feel overwhelmingbut I believe in your ability to build a better life, one step at a time. So heres a simple approach Step 1 Make lists. A list of psychiatrists andor therapists who seem like a good fit A list of supportive people in your life even if its a short list A list of activities that stimulate your brainsimple things like walking, watching people in the park, journaling, or doing something creative. Step 2 Use your lists. Each day, do one small thing Make a call. Send a message. Go outside. Talk to someone. Try something that feels slightly more engaging than the day before. Step 3 Believe that you can fight your depression and win. But know that you dont have to fight alone. No one heals in isolation. We all need a communitywhether thats a doctor, a therapist, family, friends, or even strangers who care enough to help. 4. Be gentle with yourself. If you cant do something todaythats okay. Every little bit of progress counts. Some days the win is just getting out of bed or brushing your teeth. Thats not failureits effort. Youre still in the game. Progress doesnt always look big, but it always matters.
Good Morning, The best way to have a screening and get connected to support would be to have an appointment with your primary care physician. Most PCPs are able to provide brief screeners and connect their patients with a good behavioral health provider in your community. If you are not currently connected to a PCP then you can also call 988 for assistance with mental health resources. Dr. Cashaw Ashara C.A. Cashaw, MSW, PsyD Licensed Clinical Psychologist Positive Mind and Body, LLC 110 Bala Avenue, 3rd Floor Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 484 2781659
Hello, Thank you for your question. To get screened for depression, please go to this link on our website to schedule an appointment with one of our psychologists httpsintrospectionbeverlyhills.comnewpatientregistration You can also call our office at 4244254514 if you have questions about how to register. Thank you, Dr. Selkirk Very Respectfully, Alaleh Allie K. Selkirk, Ph.D. Founder, Licensed Clinical Psychologist Introspection Beverly Hills, APPC 9440 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 301 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 4244214514 httpswww.introspectionbeverlyhills.com MondayFriday 800am400pm MondaySunday 700am1000pm Concierge Notice of Confidentiality The information contained in this email and any attachments is intended only for use by the addressees and may contain privileged private or confidential information. Any distribution, reading, copying, or use of this communication and any attachments, by anyone other than the addressee is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by email by replying to this message or telephone 4214244514 and permanently destroy or delete the original and any copy or printout of this email and any attachments. In the event of a crisis or emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital. Do not email us in the event of a crisis or emergency.
Hello! Thank you for reaching out! Unfortunately, I do not treat or evaluate people under 23 years of age. Its important that you be seen by someone who specializes in late adolescents. I wish you all the very best!
Start with your primary doctor, you can easily screen you for depression. Your symptoms are suggestive of it, but your doctor will want to rule that other possible physical causes of those symptoms. If they do feel you are depressed, they can possibly begin medication to help you, and refer you for more specialized care as appropriate. I hope this is helpful to you.
I would suggest starting by telling someone you trust a family member, friend, school counselor. Part of feeling better is finding support from whatever sources are available. Depends on your circumstances, but at 18 you are a legal adult and can make medical appointments. Start anywhere your primary care provider, a convenient health clinic, a school counseling center. Your health insurance can provide names of therapists. Start anywhere, because it can take a while to find a therapist you are comfortable with. In the process, you will hear professional opinions and you will learn what the options are and what feels right to you. You might want to consider medication, but maybe not. Start by talking to a few people. There is no short cut it requires lots of calls and scheduling and meeting professionals, but you will learn a lot and likely find a good match with a therapist who can help. Andrea Barnes, JD, PhD
Similar to a response I gave previously, when considering mood, it is always best to first rule in or out certain factors. Since you did not specify what selfcheck and adjustments were completed, I want to give some reminders here. The screening information is toward the end, as you can do a selfscreener first.

Thank you for asking this. Please know that you are being a lifesaver to your self and are brave to ask this. Even if you experience loneliness, isolation, or fear you are not alone. Supportive communities, groups of encouraging people, people with answers, and people searching together to find new solutions are readily available. Also, while not being a doctor, I am a school psychologist trained to answer with general information. Most of my training is for people early ages to 12th grade. I am trained to know your question in general terms. Any information beyond what I can share, please consult with your physician.

Because I am an M.A., I am always going to start with a focus on faith, family, health, and wellness. I do help a private practice assist families and children. Knowing about teen years and hormones adolescence can help you.

Seek intervention, coping strategies, health, and holistic options as a first line of support before knowing if you need to be screened clinically. Some might recommend formal testing, yet you can start with a selfscreener. If you find any one of the areas is out of sync, and something you can adjust in your daily routine, make the adjustment first. Any treatment is only a mask if the other foundations to health and wellness are not considered. That means having to make daily adjustments.

Interventions could include replacement strategies to alleviate symptoms of withdrawal, loneliness, apathy, fear, vigilance, night terrors, being too alert, and fatigue. A balanced approach to understanding unconditional care from friends and family that also includes healthy food, exercise, and rest is key to revitalization. The more severe, the more likely a physician will consider an intense treatment. I recommend trying moderate sunlight, vitamins, and one activity of enjoyment before you determine if you think you have it.

For teens, those two years for you might have included intense activity, studies, and more. Teens also have been asked to consider more in decisionmaking than is developmentally appropriate. While considering the hormones of teen years combined with moral dilemmas intended for adult years, the response might have been forms of depression andor anxiety. If those factors health, wellness, intense activities, decision making are in sync and feelings of intense depression andor anxiety occurred, do more than a self screener, and consult with a trusted family member and physician.

If something is found, treatment is contingent upon the age and other possible coexisting health needs. Thus, have a trusted accountability friend help you understand what changes you might adjust before assuming a clinical route is needed.

As I reiterated to a previous teen, teen years of adolescence and puberty do have changes in mood. Those changes in mood last several years. They are similar to what happens when children turn two years of age only over a longer period of time. Mood swings can vary in frequency how often, intensity how strong or weak, and duration how long. Because you recently were a teen, many teens experience moodiness. Mood swings characterize adolescence and puberty due to the changes in hormones experienced by teens. Even teens that knew when younger what preferences they had for activities and future work found themselves frequently changing attitudes, preferences, thoughts, and feelings about previously enjoyed activities during puberty. Therefore, be a teen and learn to be comfortable in your skin.

Hormones associated with teen years, while common, are expressed differently in all teens. Because of the intense hormonal changes during puberty, try amidst all the fun to stay on a faithful course for spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness spirit, mind and body. Stick with moral, faithful, and gracious people who understand. Many found that the dangers of moral turpitude combined with hormonal changes only contributed to the challenges. Many teens want moral living for future family, volunteer, work, and community goals, so I do not think it will be as difficult to find others that want to be healthy friends. Many teens want to avoid trouble, so they avoid the offense of moral turpitude. Make sure to rest, sleep, and relax. Scheduling that could be a priority so you do not feel stressed and under pressure trying to get alone time. Add a cushion of time to each day and each week to rest, sleep, and relax.

Take time to consider if your emotions match the situation. If you were to get irritable with a friend, ask yourself this
Was the irritation because of something a friend did or did not do? Did I misunderstand? What the intensity appropriate for the offense someone did? Was the irritation misapplied to someone that did not offend with as big of offense i.e. dishonesty as originally thought?
Was I too sad and dismissive because I did not understand, or was it appropriate because of the event death, loss of job, relationship challenges, grades, other disappointment in an activity?
Was I too fearful, or did the response match the situation an intruder, a violator to the body of a minor even if wanted in the future, a bully, a natural disaster, an accident?

Try your best to see if you can recall the length of time you experienced what you described
a mere matter of days? months? years? only during teen years?

Once you answer those questions, set health goals with the input of a trusted adult, and determine thoughts about teen years, then determine if the moodiness was combined with any other behavior or feeling. PLEASE know this moodiness is not something that can be experienced in isolation if someone has a mood disorder like depression or anxiety.

Again, depression or anxiety are two mood disorders if intense, frequent, and over a certain duration. They can exist together. There is a point when they become disorderly.

IF after your selfcheck and making daily adjustments to consider health, rest, morality to avoid turpitude while enjoying freedom, diet, exercise, and community, you still feel like you might have a mood disorder, do go for a screening.

Webmd, medlineplus.gov, mayoclinic and others even have online screeners to try. Most of those questions will be asked by a physician, MD or DO. Also, remember that most will advice a health physical. That is reason you want to start with a selfcheck and make daily adjustments first to rule in or out any other factors. Making daily adjustments might be your answer. If the fear resulted after an intruder or someone that violated you, adjusting boundaries and setting limits might be what is needed. If the anxious response, however, existed with no stressor or source or if it occurred for a lengthy duration a physician can help you sort through determining the level of significance.
I think that this reequires a full evaluation by a mental health profession.
Good morning, Dear One, Thanks for your question. I have three suggestions.
I would absolutely contact the local community services board in your area. If you believe you are in imminent danger you would want to contact 911. In order to get diagnosed you would have to speak to a mental health provider and your community services board should have providers on staff to do evaluations on a walk-in or appointment basis. Alternatively, psychologytoday.com is a great resource. I hope this helps!
Hi, I'm glad you wrote. I would say you most likely do have clinical depression and perhaps anxiety too. There is no need to keep suffering, please find a good therapist and you also can talk to your doctor about getting some medication or see a psychiatrist. But the most important thing is to find a therapist you feel comfortable with who can help you tackle the depression and anxiety and get you feeling better about yourself and about life. Good luck!
You can screen yourself quite easily - just put depression screening into a Google search and you will get lots of tests you can take. More importantly, you might want to find a good therapist who could help you deal with any issues that may be influencing your life in a negative way. Finding someone who feels comfortable who gives you the sense that they understand you is the key ingredient.
Note link...
https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/ask-and-learn/screenings
Hello, 

You have been suffering for two years. I am surprised that neither your family members nor your friends have  encouraged you to seek help from a licensed psychologist. I would encourage you to contact one in your area ASAP. And in case you have not confided in your family about how you have been feeling for the last two years it is time for you to open up to them and request their help in finding a licensed psychologist in your area. The licensed psychologist will do whatever is necessary about screening and diagnosing. Do not put it off.  There is help available in your area. So find it.
Take care and remain safe. 

Dr. Lata Sonpal