How is depression diagnosed?

Author: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Brad Hallam | Published: 7 October 2017 | Updated: 17 June 2020

Illustration accompanying How is depression diagnosed?

Depression is diagnosed through interviews with a health provider such as a doctor or psychologist. The health provider will ask questions about mood and a number of other symptoms, and may have you complete questionnaires about your symptoms.

There is no lab test that can diagnose depression, but lab testing may be done to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms, such as thyroid problems.