Clinical profile major depressive disorder:Sad mood OR loss of pleasure in usual activitiesAND at least five symptoms:Sleeping too much or too littlePsychomotor retardation or agitationWeight loss or change in appetiteLoss of energyFeelings of worthlessness or excessive guiltRecurrent thoughts about death or suicideDifficulty concentration, thinking or making decisionsIt is an episodic disorder because symptoms tend to be present for a period of time and then clear. People with persistent depressive disorder are chronically depressed. Clinical profile:Depressed mood for most of the day more than half of the time for 2 yearsAND at least two of the following during that time:Poor appetite or overeatingSleeping too much or too littleLow energyPoor self-esteemTrouble concentration or making decisionsFeelings of hopelessnessThe symptoms do not clear for more than 2 months at a time. Bipolar disorders are not present. Women are more likely than men to develop a depressive disorder. The prevalence of MDD is about 16%. The prevalence of dysthymia is about 2.5%. Social-economic status is an important factor in the prevalence of depression. Season affective disorder refers to a depressive episode during two consecutive winters. The comorbidity of a depressive disorder is high. There are three types of bipolar disorders. The bipolar I disorder, the bipolar II disorder and the cyclothymic disorder. A depressive episode is not required for the bipolar I disorder. Mania is a state of intense elation, irritability or activation accompanied by other symptoms. There is a flight of ideas. Hypomania involves a change in functioning that does not cause serious problems. To be diagnosed for bipolar I disorder, a single episode of mania must occur and this mustn’t be explained by another disorder. To be diagnosed for bipolar II disorder, a...