Major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder

A mood disorder characterized by profound feelings of sadness or despair.

Mentioned in: Conduct Disorder

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major depressive disorder Psychiatry A chronic, relapsing illness affecting 3–6% of the population at a given time Lifetime risk 10–15%; it is linked to a high–10% to 20% rate of suicide, and high morbidity when compared with other medical illness Statistics, Intl, low Taiwan 1.5%, Korea 3%, Puerto Rico 4.3%, US 5% High Lebanon 19%, France 16.4%, New Zealand 12% Other findings Positive dexamethasone test, sleep changes–eg, ↓ REM latency DiffDx AIDS, acute intermittent porphyria, amphetamine withdrawal, CA, endocrine disease–eg, Addision's disease, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, infectious mononucleosis, influenza, malnutrition, multiple sclerosis, drugs–eg, alpha-methyldopa, benzodiazepines, cimetidine, clonidine, corticosteroids, INH, OCs, propranolol, reserpine, thiazide diuretics

Major depressive disorder, 5 or more criteria

• ↓ appetite or loss of weight

• ↓ concentration

• Dysphoric mood Sad, anxious, irritable

• Fatigue or decreased energy

• Guilt or excessive self blame

• ↓ interest in pleasurable activities

• Psychomotor retardation or agitation

• Sleep disturbances

• Suicidal ideation or suicidal attempt  AMN  16/9/96, p17