# Clinical Depression **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 24, 2000, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-depression/11262 "2000-04-24T19:45:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2000, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-depression/11262/21 "2000-04-29T08:33:05Z")
There are several screening tests out there to determine whether one will fit the DSM criteria for depression. Interestingly enough, according to an article I read not too long ago, the best screening test for moderate to severe depression is to ask the patient, “Are you depressed?” It is nearly 100% sensitive and 100% specific to a gold standard diagnosis. I love common sense medicine. Dr. J ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2000, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-depression/11262/22 "2000-05-01T01:03:24Z")
Sentinel: > [@](#): > > Basically clinical depression is any form of depression which requires treatment. Hmm, rather circular, isn’t it? Shrink: Your honor, we move for a ruling in favor of involuntary psychiatric commitment. Judge: Then you feel, I take it, that the patient suffers from a grave mental illness? Shrink: The patient suffers from clinical depression, your honor. Judge: Clinical depression? Is that a major mental illness of the sort that requires psychiatric treatment? Shrink: It is indeed, your honor. Judge: And on what basis did you arrive at your diagnosis of clinical depression in this patient’s case? Shrink: The diagnosis was determined by the observation that the patient is in need of psychiatric treatment, your honor. Judge: And how was the determination for that need made? Shrink: Well, the patient has clinical depression, your honor, and clinical depression requires psychiatric treatment. Judge: Hmm, I see… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinical-depression/11262.md?page=1)