No, not at all. Many people never get a diagnosis if they don't see a doctor,but they suffer from the disorder anyway, not really knowing what's going on. Keep in mind that there are other emotions that may cause you to think you are depressed or anxious. For example, feeling sad after a pet dies doesn't necessarily mean you are depressed. Feeling nervous before a major exam at school doesn't mean you have an anxiety disorder. Since you are concerned about this please take the time to talk with a licensed mental health practitioner to sort all of this out. There are many treatment options for you .

Heck no. But, if you think you may have anxiety or depression it is a good idea to talk to your doctor... Not necessarily just to know, but rather because he or she may be able to help.

Best of luck!

You don't have to have a formal diagnosis to know intuitively that you are depressed and anxious. If you are having symptoms of depression such as low mood, loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities, sleep problems, anger or other symptoms, you should seek help. Symptoms of anxiety can include panic attacks with racing heart, racing thoughts, sweaty palms and a feeling as if something bad is going to happen or you can have anxiety that is not associated with panic. As an integrative medicine physician, I use one of many ways to treat both conditions including medication and also the use of diet, exercise, and supplements that can support your mood. You can seek help either from a psychiatrist or from your family physician.

The little boy who did not want to go to school because he said he had an upset stomach was questioned by his Mother: "How do you know you have an upset stomach?" His reply, "I have inside information." While humorous , this makes the point, if you are feeling, anxiety or depression, seek help from a Psycholgist who does EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback). This is an invasion-less, no pill approach to deal with anxiety and depression. Doing talk therapy along with it will help you make significant progress.

I would say that one does not need a doctor's diagnosis to know that one suffers from anxiety or depression. Still, having it is one thing, but treating it is quite another. I'm sorry to parrot others, but if your symptoms are significant and impairing your lifestyle, you need to consult a psychiatrist or other qualified health care professional to confirm the diagnosis, determine the severity, and prescribe treatment. While pharmacological treatment is probably needed, I urge you not to over-emphasize it over non-pharmacological treatment, such as traditional psychoanalysis, cognitive-behavioral therapy, lifestyle and spiritually oriented activities. While most people in our secular-liberal society will howl at the suggestion, I suggest that you get involved in a church or synagogue. They are filled with high quality people, which will result in friendships, spirituality, and self-insight. This might be helpful even if you are not particularly religious--just look at as an educational pursuit. I just wanted to give you something else besides "see a doctor," which, of course, you should do. Remember that as recently as 50 to 60 years ago, pharmacological therapy was crude, and mostly ineffective. Priests, pastors, and rabbis played the role of counselors for people with anxiety/depression, or a myriad of other disorders, before doctors and drug companies took it over. And I'm not sure that they get a better result.

It's important to be diagnosed because depression and anxiety could be symptoms of other conditions.

Absolutely not!

That being said, it is best to see a doctor to make sure it isn't something serious you are experiencing.

You obviously know you're not feeling like your usual self, but look at what is different to find indicators as to why.

Have you changed your job, relationship and/or residence since you've noticed the difference? Those are the three areas which are the major causes of stress. If you haven't changed those, what else has changed.

You can trace your anxiety by asking a series of questions:

Is it worse at specific times of the day or days of the week?

Are there specific people who increase your anxiety?

Are there specific situations which increase your anxiety?

You should be able to pinpoint the catalyst to your anxiety and begin to make adjustments to your daily activity until you can feel more peace and tranquility.

Anxiety and associated to it medical conditions are the most common emotional complaints of today’s biosphere population. This medical ailment results in a key fraction of major illnesses that individuals report to psychotherapists and General practitioners. Although it is expected that about 7-10% of the general public is suffering from different form of anxiety. According to statistical research females are suffering from anxiety twice more often than males (Cohen and White, 1950)

You can read more about diagnostic and treatment of anxiety at http://www.besthypnosisphiladelphia.com/anxiety-treatment-philadelphia/

Everyone goes through times of feeling down or depressed and or anxious. A diagnosis of anxiety or depression is given when the times of depression or anxiety continue over time and do not seem to be influenced by the association with friends, family, and or events that used to bring pleasure or excitement. Only a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist is trained to diagnose depression and anxiety.

Everyone goes through times of feeling down or depressed and or anxious. A diagnosis of anxiety or depression is given when the times of depression or anxiety continue over time and do not seem to be influenced by the association with friends, family, and or events that used to bring pleasure or excitement. Only a doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist is trained to diagnose depression and anxiety.