A person that suffers from Major Depressive disorder must exhibit a depressed mood or loss of drive/interest/pleasure in their daily activities. This loss of pleasure in daily activities must be consistent for at least a two week period and must be a deviation from the person's normal mood. It must negatively impair important functions in their life such as social matters, educationally and occupational.
These changes in mood are not better accounted for by a sudden traumatic event, such as a loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for more than two months.
The Diagnostic Criteria (DSM IV) for Major Depressive Disorder is as follows:
* Recurrent thoughts of death and recurrent suicidal ideation, without a specific plan. Suicidal attempts or specific plans for committing suicide. * Persistent fatigue or loss of energy. * Persistent psychomotor agitation. * Persistent indecisiveness, or a diminished ability to focus, think and concentrate. * Significant weight loss without dieting or weight gain (change in more than 5% of the body weight within a month.), also a loss or gain of appetite. * Persistent negative self-concept, feelings of worthlessness or excessive and innappropriate guilt. * Persistent insomnia or hypersomnia, lethargy or agitation. * Feelings of sadness that are out of proportion to the person's life situation. * Loss of interest and pleasure in daily activities.
A+ - Major Depressive Episode
Depends on the severity, duration, etc. There are a lot: 296.20 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Unspecified 296.21 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Mild 296.22 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Moderate 296.23 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Severe Without Psychotic Features 296.24 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Severe With Psychotic Features 296.25 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, In Partial Remission 296.26 Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, In Full Remission 296.30 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Unspecified 296.31 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Mild 296.32 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Moderate 296.33 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe Without Psychotic Features 296.34 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe With Psychotic Features 296.35 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, In Partial Remission 296.36 Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, In Full Remission
an episode of depression characteristic of major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is a moderate to severe episode of depression lasting two or more weeks.
Major depressive and dysthymic disorders are typically treated with antidepressants or psychosocial therapy.
About one in four adults will suffer from a major depressive episode. Symptoms include intense feelings of sadness, irritability, reduced sex drive, insomnia or excessive sleeping, and restlessness. Men frequently cope by wanting to drink more than usual, so this is a good warning sign. There is no cure but drugs can treat the condition.
There is no specific percentage for the prevalence of depressive personality disorder in the world's population, as it is not a recognized psychiatric diagnosis. However, depressive symptoms are common in the general population, with estimates that around 1 in 5 people will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime.
Major depressive affective disorder, single episode, unspecified.
In medical terms, an episode is an abnormal behavior exhibited by a patient for a short amount of time. Episodes are temporary. Disorders are characterized by conditions that are chronic and do not pass with time. Disorders can spawn episodes, usually with a stimulus, but the two are very different.
The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM IV-4E, 2000) is the best, most authoritative source for an answer. The difference is all down to diagnosed symptoms. Legally, only a medically-qualified, registered psychiatrist can properly diagnose psychiatric symptoms and prescribe treatment/s. The difference between dysthymia and a major depressive episode is a matter of symptoms, severity/duration of symptoms and expert prognosis re healing including via psychotherapy.
Abraham Lincoln
Major depressive disorder is a moderate to severe episode of depression lasting two or more weeks.