Index for
slide deck
Introduction

Major depressive disorder (MDD) - Course, natural history and prognosis

Depression
Depression can be defined based on the World Health Organization’s ICD-11 classification system or the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR system.
References:
1.National Institute for Health and Care Excellence CG222. Depression in adults: recognition and manageme…

Symptoms of depression
The many symptoms of depression are varied, and can include emotional, cognitive, and physical symptoms that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.1,2
References:
1.American Psychiatric Associa…

Diagnosis of MDD
Depression can be diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association’s DSM-5-TR criteria, as outlined on the slide.

MDD symptoms in DSM-5-TR
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes nine depressive symptoms for diagnostic purposes, as outlined on the slide.1 At least five of these symptoms, at least one of which is ‘depressed mood’ or ‘loss of interest or pleasure’ are required during the same two-…

The impact of the symptoms of depression on patients
As outlined on the slide, the various symptoms of depression can negatively impact a patient’s functioning, including in the areas of work or school, family life, and social life.1,2
References:
1.American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Ment…

The course of MDD
The optimal outcome for a patient with major depressive disorder (MDD) is a full recovery from the major depressive episode and to never become depressed again.5 Treatment of MDD is divided into three phases, corresponding to different stages of the illness.6 Each of thes…

Outcomes for patients with depression
The clinical course of major depressive disorder after the initial depressive episode varies from patient to patient, and whilst roughly half of patients will not go on to experience further recurrence, a minority of patients will experience unremitting depression.1,2
Ref…

Definitions of clinical course and treatment outcomes I
The terms ‘response’ and ‘remission’ have been used to mean different things in psychiatric research; the most commonly used meanings of these terms in studies of treatment outcomes in people with major depression disorder are given on the slide.1,2
References:
1.Nierenbe…

Definitions of clinical course and treatment outcomes II
MDD is a chronic disorder, most frequently characterised by relapses and recurrences.2 Relapse can be defined as an episode of MDD that occurs within 6 months of response or remission;2,3 theoretically, relapse signifies the return of a major depressive episode, rather th…

MDD specifiers I
Specifiers are extensions to a diagnosis that further clarify the course, severity, or special features of the disorder.


