Depressive Disorders
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. We all have friends, acquaintances, or family members who have experienced depression at some point in their lives. It is estimated that only 10–15% of individuals with depressive disorders seek treatment.
The symptoms of depression can be classified into several categories:
Affective symptoms: depressed mood, anhedonia, and anxiety.
Vegetative symptoms: appetite disturbances, sleep disturbances, loss of energy, decreased libido, psychomotor retardation, and psychomotor agitation.
Motivational and cognitive symptoms: loss of interest in usual activities, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts or behavior.
Somatic symptoms: physical complaints such as headaches, back pain, vomiting, constipation, and other bodily symptoms.
References:
Kaplan & Sadock: Synopsis of Psychiatry, twelfth edition
Kaplan & Sadock: Pocket Handbook of Clinical Psychiatry, fifth edition;
American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders, 1994;
Robert J. Waldinger: Psychiatry for Medical Students, third edition, translated by Anastas Suli.