Depression

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Depression is a mood disorder characterised by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable. It is a multifactorial condition that can affect an individual’s daily functioning and quality of life.

The causes of depression can be biological, psychological, and social, and its clinical presentation can range from mild to severe symptoms. Early detection and treatment are essential to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Pathology	Symptoms and Clinical Signs	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmed Diagnosis
Major depression	Depressed mood, anhedonia, appetite and sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness	Severe symptoms lasting at least two weeks	Clinical evaluation, DSM-5 criteria
Mild to moderate depression	Less severe but persistent depressive symptoms	Depressed mood, difficulty functioning in daily life	Clinical evaluation, depression questionnaires
Reactive depression	Depression following a stressful or traumatic event	History of a clear triggering event	Clinical evaluation, patient history
Medication-induced depression	Depressive symptoms beginning after starting a new medication	Onset of symptoms following the administration of certain medications	Review of medication history, discontinuation of the suspected drug
Seasonal affective disorder	Depression occurring in a specific season, typically in winter	Seasonal patterns of depressive symptoms	Clinical evaluation, DSM-5 criteria