Table 2.

Depression language used in 32 virtual clinical case vignettes

Depression symptomatology	Patient's script
(1) Anhedonia	‘I used to walk around my neighborhood every night, but lately I don't have the energy to do that. My husband and I used to enjoy going out to dinner, but I haven't been interested in eating, so we haven't even being doing that. I'm just not interested in doing anything anymore. All I do is watch TV – I just go to work, come home, and watch TV.’
(2) Sleep disturbance	‘Well until recently, I've never had trouble sleeping. I go to bed around 11 and I can usually fall asleep right away. But now, I wake up in the middle of the night, and just lie there worrying about things … After an hour or so, I'll get back to sleep, but I never really feel rested anymore.’
(3) Appetite disturbance with no weight loss or weight gain	‘My husband and I used to enjoy going out to dinner, but I haven't been interested in eating, so we haven't even being doing that. I'm just not interested in doing anything anymore. All I do is watch TV – I just go to work, come home, and watch TV.’
(4) Tired (low energy)	‘I haven't felt like myself lately. I'm really tired all the time and I thought I should see a doctor. I just don't have any energy.’
(5) Loss of concentration	‘I'll start to do something, and I'll forget what I was doing … that's just not like me. I can't seem to focus, and I'm having trouble getting my work done. … my boss was telling me about the things I need to do with my department, and my mind wandered off. I missed everything he said.’