major depression

noun

: a serious mood disorder involving one or more episodes of intense psychological depression or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts two or more weeks and is accompanied by irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes suicidal tendencies : clinical depression, major depressive disorder

Episodes of major depression usually last several months and may recur throughout a lifetime.

—The Harvard Mental Health Letter

Psychiatrists have found that among distinguished artists, the rates of manic depression and major depression are 10 to 30 times as prevalent as in the population at large.

—Natalie Angier

Examples of major depression in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For instance, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and panic disorder often have better outcomes with combined treatment. —Bryan Cochran, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2024

Jakubowski last month granted a request from Patel to be admitted into a mental health diversion program after he was diagnosed with major depression. —Deon J. Hampton, NBC News, 8 July 2024

The psychological effects of chronic acne are devastating and can cause major depression – something that the two co-founders of ClearStem care deeply about. —WWD, 2 July 2024

Research has shown that 25% of people with lupus have major depression, and 37% have anxiety.11 Body image is often an important issue for people with lupus. —Serenity Mirabito, Rn, Health, 19 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

major depression

noun

: a serious mood disorder involving one or more episodes of intense psychological depression or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts two or more weeks and is accompanied by irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes suicidal tendencies : clinical depression, major depressive disorder