- Also called:
- depression
- Or:
- clinical depression
major depressive disorder
News •
-
What is major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by prolonged sadness, persistent hopelessness, and a lack of interest in normal activities. Those affected may experience unusual weight changes, insomnia or hypersomnia, lethargy or restlessness, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and forgetfulness. They may also have feelings of guilt or worthlessness and suicidal thoughts.
Several biochemical and psychosocial factors can cause major depressive disorder. Treatment includes medication and talk therapy, with antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs often prescribed. Psychotherapy can help encourage positive thought processes and improve a patientās lifestyle.
6 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are common symptoms of major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder marked by ongoing hopelessness, sadness, a lack of interest, and a lack of enjoyment in regular activities.
Other symptoms include changes in weight, insomnia or hypersomnia, lethargy or restlessness, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and difficulty making decisions. It can also manifest as feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. Symptoms persist daily or in recurring episodes for weeks.
3 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How is major depressive disorder different from feeling sad sometimes?
Major depressive disorder is more than just occasional sadness. It's a mental disorder marked by lasting hopelessness, disinterest, and a lack of enjoyment in activities, impacting daily life for weeks.
Unlike typical sadness, major depressive disorder includes symptoms such as insomnia or excessive sleep, significant weight changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness, possibly including thoughts of death or suicide. The condition is considered present if the depressed mood is disproportionately long or severe in relation to any triggering event.
5 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What causes or contributes to major depressive disorder?
Major depressive disorder can arise and persist due to a combination of biochemical and psychosocial factors. Biochemical factors often involve imbalances in neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and serotonin, potentially influenced by hormonal changes in women during puberty, pregnancy, miscarriage, and menopause.
Psychosocial factors include traumatic events such as abuse, the death of a loved one, job loss, or divorce. Stressful life circumstances, such as balancing work and family or single parenting, can also trigger depressive episodes, with childhood adversity potentially causing lasting brain changes.
4 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
How do doctors diagnose major depressive disorder?
To diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD), doctors rely on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). A diagnosis requires experiencing at least five of the following symptoms for at least two weeks: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, appetite or sleep disturbance, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and suicidal thoughts.
To aid in diagnosis and rule out other conditions, doctors may use psychological tests, such as the Beck Depression Inventory or the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, alongside clinical evaluation and medical history.
6 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles. -
What are some ways major depressive disorder can be treated or managed?
Major depressive disorder can be managed through a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), helps patients recognize and change negative thought patterns, manage emotions, and cope with stress. Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can help correct chemical imbalances in the brain. Lifestyle adjustments and stress control techniques can also be beneficial. More severe cases may be treated with electroconvulsive therapy, ketamine, or transcranial magnetic stimulation.
5 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
major depressive disorder, mental disorder characterized by persistent hopelessness, disinterest in and lack of enjoyment of normal activities, and prolonged sadness. Major depressive disorder affects people on a daily basis in isolated or recurring episodes lasting several weeks.
Symptoms
Symptoms of major depressive disorder include, in addition to those mentioned above, insomnia or hypersomnia, unusual weight changes, lethargy or restlessness, difficulty in concentrating or decision-making, and forgetfulness. Individuals who are affected by major depressive disorder may also experience feelings of guilt or worthlessness and thoughts of death or suicide.
Symptoms may vary with age and gender. Children may be sad, clingy, or irritable and may resist going to school. Teens may experience a lack of self-worth, emotional sensitivity, and self-destructive behaviors such as drug use and self-harm. Men are more likely than women to experience anger and to rely on alcohol or drugs to help them cope with their negative feelings. Women usually experience feelings of guilt, and they are more likely than men to attempt suicide. Major depressive disorder is nearly twice as common among women than it is among men.
" height="20" alt="HEW Logo">
Causes
A number of factors may contribute to the onset or continuance of major depressive disorder. The most common causes are biochemical or psychosocial in nature; in many instances, both factors play a role. Research on biochemical factors linked to major depressive disorder centers largely on chemical imbalances in the brain resulting from the defective regulation of the release of one or more naturally occurring neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine and serotonin. (Some researchers, however, have disputed the theory that chemical imbalances can be a cause of depression.) In women, biochemical causes may also include significant hormonal changes associated with puberty, pregnancy, miscarriage, and menopause.
Psychosocial causes of major depressive disorder may include traumatic events such as the death of a family member or close friend and physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Life-changing experiences such as leaving home, job loss, and divorce may also trigger a major depressive episode. Stressful life circumstances, such as the need to balance family and work, the pressures of being a primary caregiver, or the challenges of single parentingāall of which are more likely to affect women than menāare other potential sources of depressive episodes. Adverse experiences during childhood may result in structural and functional changes in the brain that lead to major depressive episodes in later life.
Treatment and prevention
Treatment modalities include medication and talk therapy. Medications to treat major depressive disorder include antidepressants such as bupropion, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and tricyclic antidepressants. A therapist may provide strategies to encourage positive thought processes as well as suggestions to improve a patientās overall lifestyle. Without treatment, depressive episodes in major depressive disorder can last 6 to 12 months. Difficult cases are sometimes treated with shock therapy, ketamine, and transcranial magnetic stimulation.