Mild episode of major depressive disorder

Major depression is a medical condition distinguished by one or mor major depressive episodes. Episodes may be isolated or recurrent and are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Mild episode has a little in symptoms beyond the minimum required to make the diagnoses and by minor functional impairment.

A mild depressive episode, according to the DSM-IV-TR, is characterized by 5 or 6 symptoms or less and mild disability (social, occupational and other important areas of functioning), a moderate depressive episode by 6 or more symptoms and moderate disability, and a severe depressive episode by most of the symptoms (as per the DSM-IV-TR symptom list) and observable disability.

An individual with a mild depressive episode will have some difficulty in continuing with ordinary work and social activities, but will probably not cease to function completely.

The age of onset of major depressive disorder is difficult to assess because the first episode is frequently mild and untreated, and may be determined retrospectively many years after first onset. Major depressive disorder can begin at any age, even in childhood and adolescence, but there are two peaks, in the twenties and forties. The mean age of onset of major depressive disorder has been estimated around the age of 30.
Mild episode of major depressive disorder