Let yourself become Depressed
Schmachtenberger on Depression:
It’s OK to be depressed in a sick/crazy society - but there is still agency.
Depression (and how we accept and overcome it) thus links to catasthrophic-risk.
We can not change everything that we face, but nothing can be changed until it is faced - James Baldwin
The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) are two of the most widely used classification systems for mental health disorders, including major depression. While they have a lot in common, there are some key differences in how they define major depression.
ICD-10
In the ICD-10, Major Depression is classified under “Depressive Episode” (codes F32-F33). The diagnosis requires at least two out of three typical symptoms:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Reduced energy or increased fatigueability
Additionally, at least two out of seven other symptoms should be present, such as:
- Reduced concentration and attention
- Reduced self-esteem and self-confidence
- Ideas of guilt and unworthiness
- Bleak and pessimistic views of the future
- Ideas or acts of self-harm or suicide
- Disturbed sleep
- Diminished appetite
DSM-5
In the DSM-5, Major Depressive Disorder (code 296.2x/296.3x) requires at least five symptoms to be present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms should be either:
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure
Other symptoms include:
- Significant weight loss or gain, or decrease or increase in appetite
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
- Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide
In summary, while both ICD-10 and DSM-5 require the presence of a depressed mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure for the diagnosis of major depression, the number and type of additional symptoms required differ between the two systems.