major depressive disorder
Persistent profound sadness
Major depressive disorder is the clinical term for depression as a diagnosable mental illness—persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and other symptoms severe enough to impair daily functioning.
The "major" distinguishes it from milder or shorter depressive episodes.
Often abbreviated MDD in medical contexts: She was diagnosed with major depressive disorder after months of symptoms.
Inability to feel enjoyment
- hopelessnessState without hope
- despairTotal absence of hope
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
worthlessness · lethargy · sadness · emptiness · apathy · guilt · rumination · helplessness
Medications treating clinical despair
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- cognitive-behavioral therapyTreatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
- fluoxetineGeneric SSRI antidepressant
sertraline · electroconvulsive therapy · medication · psychiatrist · counseling · ketamine · combination therapy · hospitalization
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
- cortisolAdrenal steroid regulating stress
hippocampus · amygdala · prefrontal cortex · neuroplasticity · inflammation · genetics · circadian rhythm · stress response
Identification of illness
- DSMPsychiatric classification manual
- psychopathologyStudy of mental disorders
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
- psychiatricOf mental health treatment
mental illness · differential diagnosis · prognosis · severity · recurrence · remission · relapse · episode
Temporary disease absence
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- support systemNetwork providing assistance
- coping skillsMethods for managing stress
wellness · relapse prevention · functioning · quality of life · hope · therapy goals · lifestyle changes · sleep hygiene
anhedonia
Inability to feel enjoyment
- hopelessnessState without hope
- despairTotal absence of hope
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
insomnia · worthlessness · lethargy · sadness · emptiness · apathy · guilt · rumination · helplessness · pessimism
antidepressants
Medications treating clinical despair
- psychotherapyTreatment through guided conversation
- cognitive-behavioral therapyTreatment restructuring harmful thought patterns
- SSRIsSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
fluoxetine · sertraline · electroconvulsive therapy · medication · psychiatrist · counseling · ketamine · combination therapy · hospitalization
serotonin
Mood-regulating brain chemical
- neurotransmittersChemical neural messengers
- dopamineReward-linked neural messenger
- norepinephrineAlertness and stress hormone
cortisol · hippocampus · amygdala · prefrontal cortex · neuroplasticity · inflammation · genetics · circadian rhythm · stress response
diagnosis
Identification of illness
- DSMPsychiatric classification manual
- psychopathologyStudy of mental disorders
- comorbiditySimultaneous presence of diseases
psychiatric · mental illness · differential diagnosis · prognosis · severity · recurrence · remission · relapse · episode · chronic
remission
Temporary disease absence
- resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
- self-careMaintaining personal wellbeing
- support systemNetwork providing assistance
coping skills · wellness · relapse prevention · functioning · quality of life · hope · therapy goals · lifestyle changes · sleep hygiene · exercise
major depressive disordermental health
Emotional and cognitive well-being
mental wellness · flourishing · psychological well-being · psychological wellbeing · emotional well-being
major depressive disordermania
Intense, consuming obsession
manic episode · hypomania · euphoria · elation · elevated mood
majors, majority, majorities, majorly, depress, depresses, depressed, depressing, depression