Major depressive episode
Major Depressive Episode
A Major Depressive Episode (pronunciation: /ˈmeɪdʒər dɪˈprɛsɪv ˈɛpɪˌsoʊd/) is a period characterized by severe depression that lasts for at least two weeks.
Etymology
The term "Major Depressive Episode" is derived from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a widely accepted psychiatric diagnostic manual. "Major" refers to the severity of the depressive symptoms, "Depressive" refers to the nature of the symptoms, and "Episode" indicates a specific period of time during which the symptoms occur.
Definition
A Major Depressive Episode is defined by the presence of five or more of the following symptoms during the same two-week period, and at least one of the symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure:
- Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day.
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day.
- Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.
- Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day.
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt nearly every day.
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day.
- Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.
To be considered a Major Depressive Episode, the symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Major depressive episode
- Wikipedia's article - Major depressive episode
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