Minor Depression

Minor Depressive Disorder is a type of depression with milder symptoms than Major Depression. Criteria for the diagnosis of Minor Depression are still being researched. However, the DSM-IV suggests that for a person to be diagnosed with Minor Depression, a person must experience at least 2, but less than 5, of the following symptoms for at least two weeks. Also, at least one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of pleasure/ interest in activities that are normally enjoyed.

Criteria for Minor Depression

Must have at least one of the following two symptoms for at least two weeks nearly all day and nearly everyday:

- depressed mood
- loss of interest or pleasure in things normally enjoyed

Additional symptoms:

- eating too much or too little
- sleeping too much or too little
- fatigue
- feeling of sluggishness or feeling hyperactive, restless (e.g., jittery)
- inappropriate guilt
- inability to concentrate or think
- recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

Additional Criteria:

- The symptoms impact ability to function
- The symptoms are not due to substance abuse or to the recent loss of a loved one
- No history of a major depressive or manic episode