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Beyond major depression.

Gordon Parker
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The DSM concept of 'major depression' has accrued increased status but demonstrated limited utility since inception. METHOD: An historical overview of models of depression and the initially perceived advantages presented by the concept of 'major depression' are presented before detailing its limitations in application. RESULTS: Challenges to the utility of 'major depression' are provided by examining its conceptual model, its validity, its utility and the limited information generated in aetiological and treatment efficacy studies. CONCLUSION: It is argued that the concept of 'major depression' has led to sterility in depression research and clinical practice, and that there is a need for a paradigm shift in modelling and classifying the depressive disorders.

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Depressive DisorderMajor Depressive DisorderDiagnosis, DifferentialDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental DisordersHumansReproducibility of ResultsJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReview

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Gordon Parker. 2005. Beyond major depression.. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291704004210

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