VA MDD

A mood disorder characterized by symptoms of depression but with some atypical features. These features often make the diagnosis more difficult and include mood reactivity, significant weight gain or increase in appetite, hypersomnia (sleep more than usual), leaden paralysis (feeling heavy or unable to move limbs), and an interpersonal rejection sensitivity.

This feature of atypical depression refers to a brightening of mood in response to positive events. This is in contrast to major depressive disorder where individuals may be emotionally unresponsive.

This characteristic of atypical depression involves a significant weight gain or increase in appetite. This contrasts with the typical weight loss seen in major depressive disorder.

Atypical depression is characterized by excessive sleepiness, typically more than 10 hours per day or a 2-hour increase from baseline sleep duration.

This is a physical feeling of heaviness in the limbs often described as a leaden feeling. It's not related to muscle weakness, but rather a subjective sensation of weight.

Atypical depression involves a long-standing pattern of feeling overly sensitive to rejection from others, often leading to avoidance and social impairments.

Atypical depression affects women more often than men.

A state of sadness, despair, and loss of interest in activities that was once enjoyable. It can significantly impact daily life and functioning.

Persistent thoughts about death, suicide, and loss. It's a common symptom of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

A cognitive symptom of depression, particularly in elderly individuals, where memory complaints are the main concern.

The study of the causes of disease, in this case, Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

The genetic predisposition for developing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

A measure of how likely someone is to develop a disease, compared to the general population. For MDD, it's higher in those with a family history.

The proportion of variation in a trait (like MDD) due to genetic factors.

The study of the occurrence, distribution, and patterns of diseases in a population.

The estimated number of individuals worldwide living with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in the year 2020.

A significant percentage of young people worldwide experience depression.

A significant portion of individuals with Major Depressive Episodes (MDE) experience chronic depression lasting longer than two years.

Depression is associated with a higher risk of death, particularly amongst those admitted to nursing homes.

The rate of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is higher in women compared to men.

Factors that can either contribute to or protect against the development of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Factors that cannot be changed, such as genetic predisposition or a history of trauma.

A combination of psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is often more effective in treating MDD than solely using one method.

A treatment phase lasting 2-4 months with the goal of achieving symptom remission and reducing relapse risk.

A longer treatment phase, lasting 6-24 months or more, aimed at maintaining symptom remission and preventing future episodes.

Treatment recommendations for individuals with mild MDD and low safety risk.

Treatment recommendations for individuals with moderate MDD and low-moderate safety risk.

Treatment recommendations for individuals with severe MDD and moderate-high safety risk.

Treatment recommendations for individuals with very severe or life-threatening MDD.

Lifestyle interventions are beneficial as an adjunct treatment for mild MDD, along with psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) can be used as an adjunct treatment for MDD.

Guided DHI (Directly Helping Individuals) can be used as an adjunct treatment for MDD.

Symptoms that occur when discontinuing an antidepressant medication.

A type of antidepressant discontinuation syndrome characterized by flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, and sensory disturbances.

The risk of experiencing discontinuation symptoms varies depending on the type of antidepressant.

This occurs when a person does not experience improvement in their depressive symptoms after trying two or more different antidepressants.

A common symptom of atypical depression where individuals experience a brightening of mood in response to positive events.

A significant increase in weight or appetite often observed in atypical depression.

A condition characterized by excessive sleepiness, typically more than 10 hours per day.

A physical sensation of heaviness in the limbs often described as a leaden feeling, associated with atypical depression.

A long-standing pattern of feeling overly sensitive to rejection from others, often leading to avoidance and social impairments.

Strategies used to address residual symptoms or manage ongoing depression issues.

A tapering approach where the dose reduction is progressively decreased by a fixed percentage, often 10% to 25%.

The time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the body to reduce by half. It can impact the duration of drug effects and withdrawal symptoms.

Treatments that focus on addressing underlying psychological factors and promoting coping skills.

A group of medications that increase the activity of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are thought to play a significant role in mood regulation.

A type of medication used to treat depression that works by modulating the activity of glutamate, a key neurotransmitter involved in brain function.

A neuromodulatory technique used to treat depression that involves stimulating specific areas of the brain with electrical currents.

A class of medications used to treat depression that work by increasing the availability of serotonin in the brain.

A class of medications used to treat depression that work by increasing the availability of both serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

A class of medications used to treat depression that work by increasing the availability of norepinephrine in the brain.

A type of medication used to treat depression that works by blocking the reuptake of both serotonin and dopamine in the brain.

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression.

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on exploring and understanding the underlying emotional conflicts and experiences that may be contributing to depression.

A type of psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals develop coping mechanisms and strategies to manage the symptoms of depression.

A type of depression that develops later in life, often after the age of 65. It has a more severe course, is harder to treat, and is associated with a higher risk of complications, including cognitive impairment, mortality, and relapse.

The initial recovery from major depressive disorder (MDE) with an antidepressant medication. It can take time, but for many people, improvement starts within three months and significant recovery happens within a year.

An untreated episode of major depressive disorder (MDE) can last for a significant amount of time, ranging from 6 to 13 months.

The course of major depressive disorder (MDE) varies. Some individuals experience a single episode that resolves, while others have recurring episodes. Overall, it is considered a chronic disorder, and with each episode, the likelihood of future episodes increases, and they tend to last longer.

The likelihood of a relapse in major depressive disorder (MDE) is significantly lower for those who receive ongoing treatment to prevent future episodes.

The ability to recover from major depressive disorder (MDE) is decreased in patients who have experienced certain factors. These include severe illness, psychosis, prominent anxiety, personality disorders, and complex cases requiring multiple treatments.

Individuals who have a longer period of remission from major depressive disorder (MDE) are less likely to experience a recurrence.

Factors that are more likely to lead to a relapse in major depressive disorder (MDE) include persistent mild symptoms during remission, experiencing multiple episodes, and the presence of bipolar disorder.

A shift in diagnosis from major depressive disorder (MDE) to bipolar disorder. This is most likely to occur in individuals who experience depression in adolescence, those with a history of psychosis, a family history of bipolar disorder, mixed features, or postpartum depression with psychotic features.

The process of differentiating between major depressive disorder (MDE) and other possible mood disorders, such as adjustment disorder, schizoaffective disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), persistent depressive disorder (PDD), disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and substance-induced mood disorder.

Considering medical conditions that can mimic the symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDE). These can range from hormonal imbalances to neurological disorders, or even side effects of certain medications.

The difference between major depressive disorder (MDE) and bereavement is the intensity and duration of the symptoms. In bereavement, the predominant feeling is emptiness and loss, and while it's a profound sadness, the emotional reactivity is preserved. The dysphoric mood in bereavement decreases in intensity over time, occurring in waves associated with reminders of the deceased.

Major depressive disorder (MDE) often occurs alongside other mental and physical health conditions, increasing the complexity of treatment. Common comorbidities include anxiety disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), substance use disorders (SUD), personality disorders, and chronic physical illnesses such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic pain.

The presence of comorbidities with major depressive disorder (MDE) makes treatment more challenging but does not necessarily make it less effective. While pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy are still the primary treatments, they may be adjusted to address the specific needs of the individual.

When a person experiences significant emotional distress or suicidal thoughts, a specific tool is used to assess several factors, including gender, age, depression, suicidal history, excessive drug use, rational thinking impairment, a planned suicide attempt, lack of social support, and expressed suicidal intent.