Identifying Depression: Understanding Criteria, Types, and Related Information
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that significantly affects a person's thinking and feelings, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), the diagnosis of MDD involves identifying a major depressive episode with a requisite number of symptoms persisting for at least two weeks, causing significant distress or impairment, and not explained by other medical or psychiatric conditions.
To be diagnosed with MDD, a person must exhibit at least five symptoms during the same 2-week period, representing a change from previous functioning. These symptoms include depressed mood, diminished interest or pleasure, significant weight change or appetite disturbance, sleep disturbances, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, diminished ability to think or concentrate, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. The symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
In clinical practice, structured clinical interviews based on DSM-5-TR criteria are commonly used for diagnosis. However, the definitive diagnosis relies on the clinician’s evaluation using DSM-5-TR criteria. The DSM-5-TR includes specifiers such as "with mixed features," "anxious distress," and other modifiers that provide more detail about the presentation of MDD.
It is important to note that finding the right treatment plan for depression can take some time. Treatment for depression often involves medication, psychotherapy, or both. Changes to a person's routine, such as following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise, may help manage depression symptoms.
Depression can present differently in various age groups. Young children may show symptoms such as crankiness, anxiety, pretending to be sick, clinging to a parent, refusing to go to school, or worrying that a parent may die. Older children may become restless, get into trouble at school, sulk, become easily frustrated, have low self-esteem, experience excessive sleepiness, among other symptoms. Young adults may have other mood disorders, be irritable, complain of weight gain, have a negative view of life and the future, and experience excessive sleepiness. Middle-aged adults may have more depressive episodes, decreased libido, digestive issues, insomnia. Older adults may have symptoms that are less obvious.
Other mood disorders, such as Bipolar I and II disorders, can also cause depressive symptoms. Bipolar I disorder involves mania symptoms that last for at least 1 week or require hospitalization, while Bipolar II disorder involves current or past depressive symptoms and hypomania lasting at least 4 days.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is another type of depression where symptoms come and go with seasons, often starting in late fall. Depression with symptoms of psychosis is a severe form of depression accompanied by psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations.
Perinatal depression occurs during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is crucial to address this condition as it can have long-lasting effects on both the mother and the baby.
In some cases, conditions that cause pain may contribute to depression. If you suspect you or someone you know may be experiencing depression, it is essential to seek help from a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- In the late fall, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression, may emerge, causing the person significant distress or impairment in their health-and-wellness and mental-health.
- During the assessment, clinicians might consider various factors such as age, symptoms duration, and co-occurring medical or psychiatric conditions to stage the severity of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
- Faced with conditions like Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), it's important to remember that different treatment options are available, including medication, psychotherapy, lifestyle adjustments like following a healthy diet and regular exercise, and addressing any underlying physical conditions suggested by science.
