Depression is characterized by symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest, and pessimism. Diagnostic tests through psychological scale assessment, imaging tests, and EEG are needed.
1. Psychological scale assessment: Tested by Zung Depression Self-Assessment Scale, 9-item Simple Patient Health Questionnaire, Beck Depression Questionnaire, as well as Montgomery Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Inventory, in order to assist diagnosis.
2. Imaging: Patients with depression will have a significant reduction in hippocampal volume, which is negatively correlated with the chronicity of the disease and the time the patient has been out of treatment. Therefore, patients can be visualized with brain imaging tests. Commonly used brain imaging tests include brain MRI and head CT.
3. Electroencephalography: The vast majority of patients with depression suffer from sleep disturbances, such as early waking, difficulty falling asleep and waking up easily during the night. Sleep EEG can monitor the patient’s sleep. About 30% of depressed patients have abnormal brain waves, mainly in the right hemisphere, which indicates a relative decrease in a-waves and increased activation in the right hemisphere. This increase in activation is mainly in the frontal region, which may be associated with depression.
4. Laboratory tests: routine laboratory tests, such as routine blood tests, blood biochemical indicators such as liver function, blood glucose measurement and other tests, the doctor will also be based on medical history, physical examination, targeted laboratory tests.
After the discovery of depression must be timely treatment, to avoid serious consequences due to delayed treatment.