Symptom Checker
Step 4: Read and complete the decision guide to learn more about your symptoms.
Depression
Sometimes a medical condition can be the main cause of depression or be making the symptoms of depression worse. It's important that your doctor is aware of what you are feeling, especially if you have or suspect you may have a medical condition. Your doctor's ability to evaluate these possibilities can help to determine what treatment is best.
Sometimes the illness is obvious -- for example, depression can be a symptom of heart or kidney disease, cancer, or a neurologic illness.
But from time to time, a medical illness hasn't been discovered and depression is the first thing to appear. For example, a person might have anemia or an underactive thyroid and would not know it without the help of a doctor.
A primary care physician can review health status and make sure there is no significant medical illness that could be at the root of a mood change.
Do you think a medical condition may be contributing to the symptoms?
Disclaimer: This content should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a call or visit to a health professional. Use of this content is subject to specific terms of use & medical disclaimers.
