Mood Disorders >> Mood Episodes

DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Major Depressive Episode A.  > 5 of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period ...

DSM-IV-TR Criteria for Major Depressive Episode

• A.  >5 of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either 1) depressed mood, or 2) loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia) Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations
  • depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report or observation made by others
  • markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day
  • significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day
  • insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
  • psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day
  • fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
  • feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
  • diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day
  • recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
• B. the symptoms do not meet criteria for a Mixed Episode
• C. the symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning
• D. the symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a GMC
• E. the symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, i.e. after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation

Mnemonic

Criteria for Depression (>5): MSIGECAPS

M - Depressed Mood
S -  Increased/decreased Sleep
I -  Decreased Interest
G -  Guilt
E -  Decreased Energy
C -  Decreased Concentration
A -  Increased/decreased Appetite
P -  Psychomotor agitation/retardation
S -  Suicidal ideation