Here are the DSM IV for the diagnosis of an episode of major depression:
At least five of the following symptoms have been present for a period of at least two weeks, at least one of these symptoms is either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.
(1) Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by the subject (eg., Feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (eg., Crying). NB: Possibly irritability in children and adolescents.
(2) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities almost all day almost every day (either by subjective account or observation by others).
(3) loss or significant weight gain in the absence of plan (eg., Body weight changes in a month exceeds 5%), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. NB: In children, taking into account the absence of weight gain expected.
(4) Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.
(5) psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not limited to subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).
(6) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.
(7) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).
(8) Diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or observation by others).
(9) Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan or suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide.
Here are the DSM IV for the diagnosis of dysthymia:
A. Depressed mood most of the day, more than every other day for at least two years. In children and adolescents, it can be an irritable and duration must be at least one year.
B. When the person is depressed, it has at least two of the following symptoms:
(1) loss of appetite or overeating
(2) insomnia or hypersomnia
(3) decreased energy or fatigue
(4) low self-esteem
(5) poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
(6) feelings of hopelessness
C. During the period of two years (one year for juveniles) of mood disturbance, the person has never had periods over two consecutive months without showing symptoms of criteria A. and B.
D. During the first two years (the 1st year for children and adolescents) of mood disturbance, no episode of major depression was present, that is to say that disruption of the mood is not better explained by a chronic major depression or major depression in partial remission.
The diagnosis depressive disorder Not Otherwise Specified is used for depressive disorders character who do not meet criteria for major depression, dysthymia, for adjustment disorder with depressed mood or adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and mood depression (or when information is insufficient to clarify the diagnosis).
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