Depression Diagnosis Testing and Assessment in Knoxville, Tennessee

Jump to Section

Athena Care Knoxville, Tennessee

Depression is a common and potentially debilitating disorder that may affect nearly 30% of Tennesseans at some point in their lives¹. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have depression, Athena Care Knoxville provides comprehensive diagnostic testing for depression and other mental health disorders in a caring and professional environment.

In addition to providing psychological assessments, Athena Care also provides a full range of testing and mental health services for children, adolescents and adults. These include neurodevelopmental testing for ADHD and autism, neuropsychological testing, personality assessment, achievement testing and more. Our comprehensive mental health services include therapy, medication management, intensive outpatient programs, TMS, and Spravato (esketamine).

What is Major Depressive Disorder?

Major Depression is a serious illness in which you feel sad or down or lose pleasure or interest in activities most of the time for two weeks or longer. Other symptoms include trouble sleeping, appetite changes, feeling worthless, trouble concentrating and more. You experience these symptoms to such an extent that it’s difficult to function at your typical level.

Major Depressive Disorder affects how you think, feel and behave and can make it very difficult to engage with others and take care of daily responsibilities at work and at home. Life may feel overwhelming, exhausting and even painful. As debilitating as depression can be, it’s also highly treatable. Treatment options include therapy, medication management, intensive outpatient programs, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and Spravato (esketamine) nasal spray. Athena Care Knoxville provides all of these treatment options in a convenient, comfortable and professional environment.

What is Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depressive Disorder)?

Bipolar Disorder (formerly known as Manic Depression) is a condition that causes extreme mood swings from emotional lows (depression) to highs (mania or hypomania). You may feel depressed for a period of time and then shift to feeling euphoric, full of energy or unusually irritable for several days or longer.

Bipolar depression often looks similar to a unipolar depressive episode (i.e., Major Depressive Disorder). In fact, it looks so similar that only 20% of people with Bipolar Disorder get correctly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder within the first year of seeking treatment².

It’s during the manic or hypomanic phases of Bipolar Disorder that the two disorders diverge distinctly. During a manic episode, your judgment, behavior and ability to think clearly may change drastically. You might seem abnormally jumpy, upbeat or wired; you might explode in anger, even at strangers; you might feel on top of the world, as if there’s nothing you can’t do or as if you have special powers that others don’t have; you might experience racing thoughts, be very distractible, need very little sleep or talk so fast that others can’t understand you. You might also engage in risky behaviors that get you in trouble, such as spending money you don’t have, engaging in risky sexual behaviors, or driving recklessly.

The frequency of bipolar episodes can be unpredictable; you may experience episodes rarely or multiple times a year. While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, treatment can reduce your symptoms and improve functioning.

What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), formerly known as dysthymia, is a long-lasting, mild to moderate form of chronic depression. If you have PDD, you experience a sad or down mood most of the day on more days than not for two years or longer (in children, mood can be irritable and last one year or longer). PDD differs from major depressive disorder (MDD) in that you experience fewer symptoms of depression, but they usually last for a longer period of time.

Other symptoms of PDD include feeling tired, hopeless, or down on yourself. You might also have trouble concentrating or making decisions, eat more or less than usual or have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much.

Treatment for Persistent Depressive Disorder generally includes therapy, medication or a combination of both.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Feeling sad or down is a normal and adaptive response to stress or loss. However, when depressed feelings persist and interfere with daily functioning, it may indicate a depressive disorder. Signs and symptoms of depression can vary, and not everyone with depression experiences the same set of symptoms.

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

To meet criteria for MDD, many of these symptoms should occur most of the day for most days out of two weeks or longer. Even if you don’t meet the exact criteria for MDD currently, it’s still possible that you will meet for the disorder.

• Feeling sad, down or in a bad mood
• Loss of pleasure or feeling unmotivated, bored or uninterested in favorite activities. “Going through the motions.”
• Fatigue
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Feeling worthless or consumed with guilt
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions, thinking much slower than usual
• Feeling slowed down (moving in slow motion) or very restless (pacing, pulling on your hair, fidgeting)
• Suicidal thoughts or actions, wishing you were dead
• Irritable or angry mood (Note: The DSM-5 does not categorize this as a depressive symptom in adults because it may overlap with bipolar disorder. However, it is a symptom in children and many adults with unipolar depression experience it as well.)

Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

To meet criteria for PDD, a few of these symptoms should occur most of the day for most days for two years or longer (one year in children). If an episode of Major Depression immediately precedes PDD, these symptoms are generally considered to be part of Major Depression and not PDD.

• Feeling sad, down or in a bad mood
• Fatigue
• Low self-esteem
• Feeling hopeless
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much

Symptoms of Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood

If you develop depressive symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor (e.g., divorce, unemployment, etc.) within a few months of the onset of that stressor, you might have an adjustment disorder. To meet criteria, your symptoms (which could include low mood, tearfulness and hopelessness) should be excessive and make it difficult for you to function at work/school, at home, or in your social life.

Depression Testing and Assessment in Knoxville, TN

Athena Care Knoxville offers comprehensive testing for depression and related disorders. Typically, testing involves a thorough assessment by a mental health professional to establish the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and to determine whether symptoms are part of Major Depression or another condition. There is no single test for depression. Instead, the evaluation usually includes a variety of components.

These components often include a clinical interview and self-report measures. During the clinical interview, a psychologist, therapist or other mental health professional will ask about your background, your current symptoms and the impact that your symptoms have on your daily life. Your clinician will give you standardized self-report questionnaires to further assess the presence and severity of your symptoms.

Your clinician will also ask questions to rule-out alternative causes or co-occurring mental health conditions that may contribute to symptoms that mimic depression. For example, it’s important to distinguish unipolar depression (like Major Depression and Persistent Depressive Disorder) from Bipolar Depression in order to guide the most effective treatments. Finally, the clinician will write a report that summarizes their findings and provides specific recommendations for treatment.

Testing for Anxiety and Depression

It’s common for a person to experience both anxiety and depression, either simultaneously or at different times. Co-occurring anxiety and depression can make it more difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Fortunately, Athena Care Knoxville offers testing services for a full range of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression.

Multiple factors may explain the association between these conditions. Depression and Anxiety share symptoms (such as changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and irritability) and overlapping neurobiology (studies suggest that differences in brain structure and functioning along with changes in neurotransmitter function may contribute to both conditions)¹. Other shared factors may include chronic stress, environmental triggers, and negative thought patterns.

How to Find Depression Testing and Assessment Center Knoxville, TN

Living in Knoxville, TN and looking for depression testing, specialists or treatment centers? Athena Care, located at 10133 Sherrill Blvd Suite 220, Knoxville, TN 37932, provides comprehensive services for depression, including testing, medication management, therapy, intensive outpatient programs, TMS and Spravato (esketamine).

Athena Care Depression Services Include:

1. Depression Testing: Athena Care provides thorough depression assessments, an essential first step toward an accurate diagnosis. Our team uses a variety of evidence-based assessment components to identify the presence and severity of your mental health symptoms. A thorough assessment helps guide more effective treatment planning.
2. Depression Specialist Consultation: Our depression specialists will guide you through the process of understanding and managing depression. Our providers have extensive knowledge and expertise, ensuring that you receive high-quality care.
3. Depression Treatment: Following a depression diagnosis, Athena Care offers a range of treatment options. Depending on your needs, this could include psychotherapy, medication management or a combination of both. We also provide intensive outpatient programs and innovative treatment options such as TMS and Spravato (esketamine).

At Athena Care, we understand that depression can make life feel difficult and overwhelming. We’re committed to providing empathetic, effective and accessible care to get you feeling better and enjoying your favorite activities again. Our treatment facility is easily located from all parts of the city, whether you’re coming from the University of Tennessee (UT) Campus, Downtown Knoxville, Market Square, or South Knoxville (SoKno). We are also in-network with most major insurance companies. Call us at (877) 641-1155, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. One of our care coordinators will help you get the care you need.

Does health Insurance Cover Depression in Tennessee?

Most health insurance companies cover depression testing and treatment when certain criteria are met. In Tennessee, these companies include Aetna, Ambetter, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee, Cigna, TRICARE and UnitedHealthcare. However, coverage for services depends on your specific insurance plan. Most plans require that you fulfill your deductible, pay a co-pay or pay co-insurance for mental health services.

Since your health insurance plan dictates the services your insurance company will cover, it’s important to carefully review your insurance policy, paying attention to any information related to mental and behavioral health services. The most reliable method for determining your coverage may be to contact your health insurance company directly.

For depression testing and treatment services in Tennessee, call or text us at (877) 641-1155. One of our care coordinators will answer any questions or concerns you may have and help you get the care you need.

Alternately, you may fill out the form below for more information.

How Much Does Depression Testing Cost in Knoxville, TN?

The cost of depression testing in Knoxville, Tennessee, can vary based on several factors, including your insurance coverage, the type of assessments you need and the healthcare provider or facility performing the testing. If you were to pay out-of-pocket for a depression assessment, the cost would likely range from around $250-$750.

Insurance Coverage

Many insurance plans provide coverage for psychological testing and mental health services. Contact your insurance provider to determine the extent of your coverage, any out-of-pocket expenses that you’ll have to pay, and any specific requirements for obtaining coverage (e.g., preauthorization for services, etc.).

Diagnostic Services and Providers

How much you’ll pay for depression testing may depend on the specific tests required and the professionals performing the assessment. Psychologists, licensed therapists, and other specialists may have varying fees for their services. You may be able to obtain a lower cost evaluation at a college or university in which graduate students perform the evaluations under supervision from a licensed psychologist.

Depression Facts and Statistics in Tennessee

According to analyses of the CDC’s BRFSS telephone survey, 29.2% of Tennessee respondents reported that they’d received a depressive disorder diagnosis from a health professional at some point in their lives. Based on these results, America’s Health Rankings ranked Tennessee 50^th out of 50 states for having the highest percentage of responses endorsing a depression diagnosis¹.

Results from the Household Pulse Survey conducted between February 1 to 13, 2023 indicate that 37.3% of Tennessee respondents reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depression, which is higher than the US average of 32.3%⁵.

Depression is also common in children. According to results from the Vanderbilt Tennessee Child Health Poll in Fall 2022, 9.3% of participating parents reported their child was diagnosed with depression, and 13.7% of parents were concerned about undiagnosed depression in their children⁶.