Key features of depression and its management in general practice.

 
"..I'm not like I was before.."

Which of the following statements are true of Ellen's presentation?
1. Ellen fulfills the criteria of major depressive illness.
2. Ellen's history of gradual onset over several weeks or months is characteristic of major depression.
3. A past history of depression is an essential diagnostic criteria for major depression.
4. A consecutive generational family history, such as occurs in Ellen's history, is an essential diagnostic criteria for major depression.
5. Major depression is more common in men than women.
2. Ellen's history of gradual onset over several weeks or months is characteristic of major depression.

Author's answer: True

Episodes of major depression usually begin over a prodromal period of weeks to months. Depressive disorder is usually perceived as a break from a person's usual or premorbid self. Both the patient and significant others can usually relate the onset of the illness to a given month or quarter of a year, which is not true, for instance, for dysthymic disorder. By definition, a major depressive disorder should be incapacitating.

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