Diagnostic Criteria for Depression

Diagnostic Criteria for Depression
Psychologists and psychiatrists would not be able to diagnose and treat psychological disorders without more specific diagnostic criteria. DSM-lll defines depression – a very familiar psychological disorder – as a variety of distinct affective or mood disorders, some relatively mild and some severe. One of the common is major depression, which is define as at least one episode of feeling in and the ability to derive pleasure from almost all activities, for at least two weeks. More specifically, a major depressive episode cannot be diagnosed unless the individual meets the criteria listed below.

1. Depressed mood most of the day.
2. Markedly diminished interest
3. Significant weight loss
4. Insomnia
5. Psychomotor agitation
6. Loss of energy
7. Feeling worthlessness
8. Diminished ability to think
9. Recurrent thoughts of deaths

Diagnostic Criteria for Depression