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Major
Depressive Episode Symptoms and DSM-IV Diagnosis
Major Depressive
Episode Symptoms and Diagnosis Overview:
Major Depressive
Episode
symptoms and diagnostic criteria follow below. While some of these Major
Depressive Episode symptoms may be recognized by family, teachers, legal and medical
professionals, and others, only properly trained mental health
professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, professional counselors etc.) can
or should even attempt to make a mental health diagnosis. Many additional
factors are considered in addition to the Major Depressive Episode symptoms in making
proper diagnosis, including frequently medical and psychological testing
consideration. This information on Major Depressive Episode symptoms and diagnostic
criteria are for information purposes only and should never replace the
judgment and comprehensive assessment of a trained mental health clinician.
Major Depressive Episode Diagnosis
A.
Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same
2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of
the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
Note:
Do not include
symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or
mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.
(1)
depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either
subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others
(e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be
irritable mood.
(2)
markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most
of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or
observation made by others)
(3)
significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more
than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly
every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight
gains.
(4)
Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
(5)
Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not
merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
(6)
Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
(7)
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be
delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being
sick)
(8)
Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day
(either by subjective account or as observed by others)
(9)
Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal
ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for
committing suicide
B.
The
symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode (see p. 335).
C.
The
symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social,
occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
D.
The
symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a
drug of abuse, a medication) or a general medical condition (e.g.,
hypothyroidism).
E.
The
symptoms are not better accounted for by Bereavement, i.e., after the loss of a
loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by
marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal
ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation.
Additional Major Depressive Disorder Diagnosis
Information
adapted from the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV
Additional
Information and webpage by
Paul Susic
MA
Licensed Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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