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Review Article
Mechanisms of Disease
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Volume 358:55-68 January 3, 2008 Number 1
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Major Depressive Disorder
R.H. Belmaker, M.D., and Galila Agam, Ph.D.

Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Depression is related to the normal emotions of sadness and bereavement, but it does not remit when the external cause of these emotions dissipates, and it is disproportionate to their cause. Classic severe states of depression often have no external precipitating cause. It is difficult, however, to draw clear distinctions between depressions with and those without psychosocial precipitating events.1 The diagnosis of major depressive disorder requires a distinct change of mood, characterized by sadness or irritability and accompanied by at least several psychophysiological changes, such as disturbances in sleep, appetite, or sexual desire; constipation; loss of the ability to experience . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Genetics

The Monoamine-Deficiency Hypothesis

Stress, the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis, and Growth Factors

Other Possible Mechanisms

Summary


Source Information

From Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Belmaker at Beersheba Mental Health Center, P.O. Box 4600, Beersheba, Israel, or at belmaker@bgu.ac.il.


Related Letters:

Major Depressive Disorder
Saini A., Ardine M., Berruti A., Long T. C.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2008; 358:1868-1869, Apr 24, 2008. Correspondence

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