Question	Action
Is this depression caused by a general medical condition, a medication, or both?	Rule out other causes of depressive mood disorders.
Is this depression related to drug or alcohol abuse?	Determine whether secondary to or complicated by substance abuse.
Is this depression related to a reaction to a stressful life event?	Consider a diagnosis of adjustment disorder.
Is this a chronic, mild depression?	Consider dysthymic disorder.
Is this another type of depressive disorder?	Consider minor depression, bipolar depression, depression caused by seasonal affective disorder, or atypical depression.
Is this major depression?	Apply DSM-IV criteria (see Table 3). Assess for severity and psychotic features.
Is there a coexisting mental illness?	Dysthymic disorder, anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and substance use disorder are common comorbidities.
Is this a dangerous depression?	Perform suicide risk assessment.