Criteria for Major Depressive Episodes

Criteria for Major Depressive Episodes

Five or more out of nine (Including at least one of depressed mood & loss of interest or pleasure) in same 2 week period. Each symptom represents a change from previous functioning & needs to be present nearly everyday.

- Depressed mood; can be irritable mood in children & adolescents, most of the day.

- Loss of interest or pleasure, most of the day.

- Change in weight or appetite/ 15% change over one month.

- Insomnia or hypersomnia

- Psychomotor retardation or agitation (Observed)

- Loss of energy or fatigue

- Worthlessness or guilt

- Impaired concentration or indecisiveness; or

- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation or attempt.

B) Symptoms cause significant distress or impairment.

C) Episode is not attributed to substance or medical condition.

D) Episode is not better explained by a psychotic disorder.

E) There has never been a manic or hypo manic episode. Exclusion e) does not apply if a (hypo)manic episode was substance induced or attributed to a medical condition.