How can a person get diagnosed with clinical depression?

Psych Evaluation: Clinical depression aka major depressive disorder can only be diagnosed after the patient undergoes an evaluation performed by a licensed healthcare professional. This person could be your primary care physician, nurse practitioner , physician's assistant, social worker, marriage and family therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. If the individual meets certain criteria the diagnosis is made.

Evaluation: First medical causes of depression should be ruled out (i.E hypothyroidism) followed by an evaluation by a psychiatrist. Symptoms of depression include: a loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, difficulty concentrating, change in sleep and/or appetite, fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, sadness, poor motivation, and irritabiliy which adversely affect one's ability to function.