Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision Mood Disorders > Introduction > Depressive Disorders > Major Depressive Disorder Sections: Associated laboratory findings., Associated physical examination findings and general medical conditions.. Topics Discussed: major depressive disorder; major depressive disorder, recurrent; major depressive disorder, recurrent, in full remission; major depressive disorder, recurrent, in partial remission; major depressive disorder, recurrent, mild; major depressive disorder, recurrent, moderate; major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe with psychotic features; major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe without psychotic features; major depressive disorder, single episode, in full remission; major depressive disorder, single episode, in partial remission; major depressive disorder, single episode, mild; major depressive disorder, single episode, moderate; major depressive disorder, single episode, severe with psychotic features; major depressive disorder, single episode, severe without psychotic features; major depressive episode. Excerpt: "The essential feature of Major Depressive Disorder is a clinical course that is characterized by one or more Major Depressive Episodes (see Episode Features) without a history of Manic, Mixed, or Hypomanic Episodes (Criteria A and C). Episodes of Substance-Induced Mood Disorder (due to the direct physiological effects of a drug of abuse, a medication, or toxin exposure) or of Mood Disorder Due to a General Medical Condition do not count toward a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder. In addition, the episodes must not be better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (Criterion B).The fourth digit in the diagnostic code for Major Depressive Disorder indicates whether it is a Single Episode (used only for first episodes) or Recurrent. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between a single episode with waxing and waning symptoms and two separate episodes. For purposes of this manual, an episode is considered to have ended when the full criteria for the Major Depressive Episode have not been met for at least 2 consecutive months. During this 2-month period, there is either complete resolution of symptoms or the presence of depressive symptoms that no longer meet the full criteria for a Major Depressive Episode (In Partial Remission)...." DOI: 10.1176/appi.books.9780890423349.14917; 10.1176/appi.books.9780890423349.2337 The content above is only an excerpt. For full access subscribe now or log into your account below. You can also purchase 24- or 48-hour access; learn more Username: Password:     Athens Login FORGOT your subscriber username and/or password? Get a reminder via email: The email I registered with is:  Not a subscriber? Subscribe Today PsychiatryOnline is a powerful website that features DSM-IV-TR® and The American Journal of Psychiatry as the cornerstones of an unsurpassed collection of psychiatric references, including books, journals, and self-assessment tools. PsychiatryOnline’s innovative platform makes these resources easy and convenient to use, offering Precise and powerful searching across books and journals. Quick pathways to related material. Mobile access from any computer with a Web connection. Ability to download any book section to PDA. Links from bibliographic references to the full text of journal articles. References to material not located in the PsychiatryOnline collection lead you to PubMed. Learn more about PsychiatryOnline Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing PsychiatryOnline@psych.org or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).