Major Depressive Disorder - most of the day, nearly every day - Cross-Examining Psych Doctors, Tip #78

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), a Major Depressive Disorder is a severe Mood Disorder that is characterized by a pervasive clinical depression and a series of associated symptoms.  In order to diagnose this disorder correctly, the patient must present with either 1) depressed mood, or 2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.  In addition, both criterion 1 and/or 2 must be present “most of the day, nearly everyday.”  If the doctor has not provided information in their report indicating that the patient had criterion 1 and/or 2 “most of the day, nearly everyday” then the patently obvious conclusion is the there is no agreement between the doctor’s history of the patient’s symptoms or complaints and the DSM criteria for a Major Depressive Disorder.