Conditions and symptoms
What Is Major Depressive Disorder? Clinical Depression
Major depressive disorder · say it: MAY-jer dih-PRES-iv dis-OR-derAlso written: MDD, clinical depression, major depression, depression
Short answer
Major depressive disorder is a common medical condition with low mood or loss of interest that lasts at least two weeks and affects daily life.
What it means
Major depressive disorder (MDD), often called clinical depression, is a medical condition, not a weakness. It involves low mood or loss of interest or pleasure for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, together with other symptoms such as changes in sleep or appetite, tiredness, poor concentration, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, or thoughts of death. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, seek urgent help now from emergency services or a crisis line.
MDD appears on medicine labels mainly under 'Indications': many antidepressants are approved 'for the treatment of major depressive disorder'. Labels also warn that, in children, teens and young adults, antidepressants can sometimes increase suicidal thoughts early in treatment or after dose changes, so mood should be watched closely.
MDD is different from ordinary sadness or grief, which usually passes, and from bipolar disorder, which also includes periods of high mood (mania or hypomania).
Where you may see it
- The 'Indications and usage' section of antidepressant labels
- Boxed warnings about suicidal thoughts
- Psychiatry and GP letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not a sign of weakness or something you can simply snap out of.
- Seeing MDD on a label does not mean your doctor thinks you have it; many antidepressants have several uses.
- Feeling better after a few weeks does not mean you should stop the medicine on your own.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Major depressive disorder”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Alprazolam
a benzodiazepine, a type of central nervous system medicine
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Bupropion Hydrochloride
an aminoketone antidepressant, a type of medicine used to treat depression
- Carbamazepine
a mood stabilizer, and an anticonvulsant (seizure) medicine, according to the label
- Ciprofloxacin
a fluoroquinolone antibacterial medicine
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Clonazepam
a benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system
- Diazepam
A benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Major depressive disorder” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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