What is Major Depressive Disorder?

[ADAATeamLise]

The most commonly diagnosed form of depression is Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). In 2017, around 17.3 million aged 18 years or older in the U.S. had experienced at least one major depressive episode in the last year, which represented 6.7 percent of all American adults. Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United States among people ages 15-44. 2

Major depression is characterized by having at least five nine common symptoms. One of the symptoms must be either an overwhelming feeling of sadness or a loss of interest and pleasure in most usual activities.

The other symptoms that are associated with major depression include:

--decrease or increase in appetite,

--insomnia or hypersomnia,

--psychomotor agitation or retardation,

--constant fatigue,

--feelings of worthlessness or excessive and inappropriate guilt,

--recurrent thoughts of death and suicidal ideation with or without specific plans for committing suicide, and

--cognitive difficulties, such as, diminished ability to think, concentrate and take decisions.

The symptoms must persist for two weeks or longer and represent a significant change from previous functioning. Social, occupational, educational, or other important functioning are impacted by major depressive disorder. For instance, the person may start missing work or school, or stop going to classes or their usual social activities. 

Learn more about depression symptoms and treatment here:adaa.org/understanding-anxi...