What Is the Difference Between Severe & Mild Major Depressive Disorder?

Major depressive disorder is a general term used in the mental health industry to encompass several forms of clinical depression. Sometimes called unipolar depression or unipolar disorder, both severe and mild forms of major depressive disorder have certain characteristics and symptoms that caregivers use to determine how best to treat the disorder. Symptoms range from feeling a little down to self-destructive habits and even suicide. Treatment options include counseling, medications, electroconvulsive therapies and physical exercise.

History

• It was 1980 when major depressive disorder was first listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) diagnostic guide. Both severe and mild forms were recognized immediately, with specific classification of symptoms for diagnosis.

Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

• If a patient exhibits at least four of the following symptoms, then major depressive disorder should be considered for diagnosis: sleep disorders, like insomnia or hypersomnia; reduced enjoyment or interest in activities and topics that are interesting to the patient when not suffering from MDD; guilt and self-blame; energy loss and fatigue; concentration problems; appetite loss or increase; psychomotor changes, like sudden retardation or agitation; and suicidal thoughts or attempts.

Mild Major Depressive Disorder

• In its mildest forms, patients are just generally sad or disinterested. Patients report feeling "blah" and aren't interested or excited by anything. They may or may not lose interest in food and eating, and tend to feel hopeless, helpless or indifferent toward the people and activities in their lives.

Severe Major Depressive Disorder

• Patients suffering from severe major depressive disorder may engage in self-destructive behavior, like cutting themselves, or participate in risky activities or live a dangerous lifestyle with no signs of self-preservation. Like in the mild form of this disorder, they simply aren't interested or don't care about whether they live or die. Psychologists speculate that they may just be looking for a high or low feeling when depression "grey washes" emotions and feelings. In its most severe form, MDD sufferers may be suicidal or violent toward others.

Treating Severe & Mild Major Depressive Disorder

• Before treating MDD, psychiatrists generally do a laboratory workup to ensure that the patient isn't really suffering from a physical condition like a vitamin deficiency or other disorder that has the same symptoms. Once diagnosed, patients are generally given antidepressants and are monitored closely for changes in symptoms. In the UK, doctors generally prescribe 20 minutes a day of physical exercise, since exercise stimulates the release of mood-altering neurochemicals. ECT, electroconvulsive therapy (shock treatment), may be used in extreme cases, as may TMT, which involves magnetically influencing brain waves. Protective hospitalization is the last resort when dealing with treatment-resistant severe major depressive disorder.