How Do Psychiatrists Make Diagnosis Of Depression In Patient's With Acute Illness?

Posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 8 Sep 2014 Answered on

Wed, 24 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I presume that psychiatrists are able to diagnose depression in patients with ACUTE (as distinct from chronic) illnesses), although this may be difficult, for instance, if someone is in acute pain). How do psychiatrists make diagnoses of depression in patient's with acute illnesses? Are there any standard tests that could be named? Could you cite any articles in internationally respected journals that provide evidence that patients with acute illnesses are capable of being diagnosed with depression, presuming that they are depressed?

Answered by Dr. Vipul Prajapati (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
criteria to make diagnosis of depression

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,

Psychiatrist make diagnosis of depression in acute case by particular criteria like ICD 10 and DSM 5...

sometimes in case of acute pain if you undergo investigation you may found that the person has no underlying problem and her pain is either somatic or self induced.

in such cases by detail history and mental status examination of patient psychiatrist diagnose particular psychiatric illness.

There are also many standard psychological test also available like TAT (Thematic aperception test), Rorschach test, CAT etc..

Also there are many publication in international psychiatric journal but detail regarding journal i am not able to recall for that journal you have to search in PUBMED.

Awaiting your response.

Thank you

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari