How to Get the Proper Mental Health Diagnosis – When it’s More Than Depression

March 28, 2024

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed that the word “depression” is thrown around pretty loosely these days. Every time someone goes through a rough patch or a bout of sadness, they often say they’re depressed. While this can certainly be the case, my experience has taught me that there may be something specific in your life that’s contributing to your mental health problems. Deciding whether or not that’s the case plays an important role in figuring out how to get the proper mental health diagnosis and mental health services.

If you’ve struggled with mental health issues and finding solutions that work, taking a deeper look at life and mental illnesses could be exactly what you need to feel better. Let’s elaborate below.

Depression is Different from Sadness

Depression or Major Depressive Disorder no doubt includes sadness. But it goes deeper than that. Being clinically depressed affects how you sleep, your appetite, how you think, interact with others and so many more aspects of daily life. Depression is a very serious medical condition that I strongly suggest everyone get help for.

One of my very favorite views on depression comes from this 42 second video from Jim Carrey which includes the quote below.

“The difference between depression and sadness is that sadness is just from happenstance. Whatever happened or didn’t happen for you, or grief or whatever it is. Depression is your body saying ‘fuck you, I don’t want to be this character anymore. I don’t want to hold up this avatar that you created. And the world is too much for me,”

Depression or Life Problems?

There are also a ton of life circumstances that can contribute to ongoing sadness for young adults. Therefore, it may not be a chemical imbalance or clinical depression in your case. Take a minute and think about the areas in your life…

Your relationships with friends, significant other, or a family member
Your job
Your financials
Your home
Your hobbies or lack thereof
Your body and physical causes
A traumatic event

If you honestly evaluate these areas in your life and find that you’re unhappy with them, it may be a matter of self-discipline and making everyday life changes in order to feel better. I know – it’s not easy. But rather than ignoring these circumstances or hopping on medication in hopes that it makes it all better, it’s better to be honest with your current situation so you can actually get the right diagnosis, if there is one at all.

depression may not be the right diagnosis

Depression is Different From Other Diagnoses

If you think that your symptoms are more than sadness, the next step may be to look into other mental health conditions. I recommend consulting with a mental health professional, and by mental health professional, I don’t mean your general practitioner or someone like me on the internet.

Mental health professionals study the many mental health disorders for a reason. And though I don’t believe that they are the sole solution to your problems, I do think they can educate you on getting the right diagnosis and help narrow things down quicker. This can help you find the right treatment plan and support groups that will help you long term.

I personally am very grateful to the medical professionals who have helped me along the way. But I’ve also realized that they are not all created equal. Some have even made me lose a little bit of faith in the medical profession, but you can’t do it alone. My suggestion when looking for someone in the mental health field is, when in doubt, don’t. Move on when it doesn’t feel right. There’s no time or energy to waste. Avoid anyone who doesn’t seem to have your best interest at heart.

Any good medical professional should have an open mind about health in an ever-changing field. We know more about all medical conditions as of 2025, and we continue to learn over time. If you find any professional who has the attitude of, “I went to school and now I know everything”, then that’s a major red flag to look elsewhere.

Getting The Right Diagnosis – Conditions that Mimic Depression

Some of the conditions that can have symptoms of depressive disorders are listed below. The following may show signs of depression, causing a misdiagnosis and a delay in getting an accurate diagnosis.

Pretty wild, huh? This list is far from complete. Try not to go down a total Google rabbit hole like me, this can be a waste of energy. But if you suffer from depression symptoms and have been unsuccessful in treating them, this may be a clue that there’s something more going on.

Putting Yourself First

When figuring out how to get the proper mental health diagnosis, I think the first step is remembering to put yourself first. If you have mental health concerns or a medical diagnosis of depression, don’t be afraid to learn. I’ve spent entirely too many years being misdiagnosed with depression, I’d hate for you to waste another minute living a mediocre life, simply because you didn’t find the root of the problem. Getting it right means taking care of your mental health by getting the right treatment options, which is vital to your quality of life and having good mental health overall.

What do you think? Is there more going on inside that beautiful brain of yours?

Remember friends, just as the great Ice Cube once said… Chickity Check yo’ self before you wreck yo’ self.

Note: This blog is based on personal experience and opinion. I am not a medical doctor but believe that we can all benefit from each other’s experiences and life challenges! Always start with a physical examination by a primary care provider, followed by a referral to a mental health provider if needed.

By the Time I'm 30