Depression

Abstract

The experience of depressed mood is not, in and of itself, a psychiatric or medical issue. It is when the experience is persistent and disrupts functioning of the individual that it should become a focus for further exploration and treatment. The term depression can mean many things, and only some patients will meet criteria for Major Depressive Disorder. Depressed mood may be caused by a reaction to stress or grief, a primary psychiatric disorder, a side effect of certain medications, and as a symptom of many illnesses and disease processes. It is important to go beyond asking about mood. Most of the psychiatric and medical causes can be easily differentiated if a thorough history is obtained. Also, it is paramount to also ask about anxiety (as depression and anxiety are often co-occurring and lead to a higher likelihood of suicide) and about suicidal thoughts.