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. 2007 Dec 31;2(3):95–101.

Table 1: Clinical features of depressive disorders based on DSM-IV-TR11 criteria.

Adjustment disorder with depressed mood Depressed mood, tearfulness or feelings of hopelessness occurring within 3 months of the onset of the stressor. May present with impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Major depressive disorder Five or more of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2 week period representing a change from previous functioning:

  1. Depressed mood

  2. Loss of interest or pleasure

  3. Insomnia or hypersomnia

  4. Significant weight loss or weight gain

  5. Psychomotor agitation or retardation

  6. Fatigue or loss of energy

  7. Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt

  8. Diminished ability to think or concentrate

  9. Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide attempts
Either (1) or (2) must be present.Severe major depressive disorders would present with suicidal ideation and/or psychotic features.
Melancholic features include loss of pleasure, lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli, depressed mood and depression regularly worse in the morning, early morning awakening (at least 2 hours before usual time of awakening), marked psychomotor retardation or agitation, significant anorexia or weight loss and excessive or inappropriate guilt.
Atypical features include mood reactivity (i.e. mood brightens in response to potential positive events), increase in appetite, weight gain, hypersomnia, leaden paralysis (heavy feelings in arms and legs) and a long-standing pattern of interpersonal rejection sensitivity (not limited to episodes of mood disturbance) that results in significant social or occupational impairment.
Dysthymia Depressed mood for most of the days for at least a 2-year duration. Two or more of the following symptoms present while depressed:

  1. poor appetite or overeating

  2. insomnia or hypersomnia

  3. low energy or fatigue

  4. low self esteem

  5. poor concentration or difficulty making decisions

  6. feelings of hopelessness
In children or adolescents, mood can be irritable and the duration must be at least for 1 year
Bipolar disorder: Most recent episode depressed Currently fulfils the criteria for major depressive disorder and there has been at least one episode of mania in the past.
Postpartum onset Onset of depressive episode within 4 weeks postpartum. May be associated with psychotic features.