Reference
Guide | Reference

51  Major Depressive Episode Prototype

51.1 Summary

  • A pattern of sustained low mood or loss of interest with reduced drive and functional impairment.

51.2 Prototype Features

  • Persistent low mood, emptiness, or anhedonia.
  • Reduced energy, motivation, or concentration.
  • Sleep or appetite disturbance.

51.3 Threshold Guidance

  • Use when low mood/anhedonia is prominent, sustained, and impairing.

51.4 Expected Domain Profile

  • Mood and Drive Dysregulation: moderate to high (low mood, low drive).
  • Arousal, Sleep, and Circadian Regulation: mild to moderate disruption.

51.5 Time-Course and Trajectory

  • Often episodic with variable recovery.
  • May be triggered by losses or stressors.

51.6 Differential and Red Flags

  • Bereavement or situational sadness without persistent impairment.
  • Substance or medication effects.
  • Medical contributors (endocrine, neurologic).
  • Psychosis or catatonia signals elevated risk.

51.7 Specifiers (treatment-relevant, non-prescriptive)

  • Course/time pattern (episodic, recurrent, seasonal).
  • Contributors (sleep loss, medical conditions, substance use).
  • Risk modifiers (suicide risk, self-neglect).

51.8 Measurement Prompts

  • Brief mood or depression measure.
  • Sleep and activity tracking.

51.10 Documentation Snippet (1-2 lines)

  • “Sustained low mood with loss of interest and reduced drive; Mood/Drive 3, Arousal 2; episodic course.”