What Is Subthreshold Depression?

Subthreshold depression is a form of depression that does not meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression as outlined by the DSM-IV.

Features

• According to 2009 research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, subthreshold depression is serious and may be associated with functional impairment in some people.

DSM-IV

• The American Psychiatric Association publishes the DSM-IV, which stands for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition, and it defines all mental disorders.

Depression

• The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for a major depressive episode include exhibiting at least five out of nine symptoms of depression within a two-week period that represent a change from normal behavior and are not attributed to another illness.

Warning

• According to BioMedCentral.com, those with subthreshold depression are at an increased risk of developing major depression.

Considerations

• According to research published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, there are similar characteristics of subtheshold depression and major depression, and more research is needed to determine effective treatment for subthreshold depression. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry suggests patients with subthreshold depression and their caregivers watch for early signs of depressive disorder in order to receive proper treatment.