Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Depression: Overview

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

Depressive disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterized by pervasive feelings of sadness, diminished pleasure in life, and a significant impact on daily functioning. These conditions are most prevalent in individuals during their 30s and affect women at twice the rate of men. Contrary to popular belief, younger individuals are generally more susceptible to these disorders than older adults. Two key types of depressive disorders include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and...

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...

Classification of Illness

Classification of Illness

The meaning of illness is individualized to each person who experiences an alteration in health. In contrast, disease is a medical term indicating a pathological change in the structure and function of the body or mind. It is a condition that has specific symptoms and boundaries.
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe and...

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Introduction to Psychological Disorders

Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) serves as the primary classification system for mental health disorders, providing standardized diagnostic criteria for clinicians and researchers. First published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in 1952, the DSM has undergone several revisions to reflect evolving psychiatric understanding. The fifth edition, DSM-5, released in 2013, introduced key updates that expanded diagnostic categories and modified diagnostic...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Rhinofacial entomophthoramycosis: A rare fungal infection in an adolescent boy.

Indian journal of pathology & microbiology·2015

Same author

Evaluation of antihepatotoxic potential of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against antitubercular drugs induced hepatopathy in experimental rodents.

Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine·2013

Same author

A critical study of Rasamritam and it's applied aspects.

Ayu·2013

Same author

Nephroprotective activity of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and renal dysfunction in experimental rodents.

Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine·2012

Same author

Hepatoprotective effect of Solanum xanthocarpum fruit extract against CCl4 induced acute liver toxicity in experimental animals.

Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine·2011

Same author

Glomerular retrieval by cell block preparation of preservative fluid: an adjunct to biopsy diagnosis.

Analytical and quantitative cytology and histology·2010

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Major depression: an illness with objective physical signs.

Ramesh K Gupta¹

¹Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry Unit, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia. ramesh.gupta@act.gov.au

The World Journal of Biological Psychiatry : the Official Journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry

|April 28, 2009

Summary

Major depression diagnosis should include objective physical signs, not just subjective feelings. Recognizing these physical symptoms can improve diagnostic accuracy and potentially reduce placebo effects in clinical trials.

More Related Videos

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

Psychiatry
Clinical Psychology
Neuroscience

Background:

Major depression is characterized by observable physical manifestations.
These signs include psychomotor retardation, diminished expressions, and anxiety-related behaviors.
Physiological symptoms like tachycardia and tremors are also indicative of depression's distress.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the importance of objective physical signs in diagnosing major depression.
To critique current diagnostic criteria for their reliance on subjective perceptions.
To explore the link between diagnostic methods and placebo response rates.

Main Methods:

Review of clinical signs associated with major depression.
Analysis of established depression rating scales (e.g., Hamilton, Montgomery-Asberg).
Critique of diagnostic criteria in DSM-IV regarding physical symptoms.

Main Results:

Objective physical signs consistently correlate with depression diagnosis and severity.
Current operational criteria may overlook these physical indicators.
Exclusion of physical signs may contribute to high placebo responses in trials.

Conclusions:

Objective physical signs are crucial for accurate major depression diagnosis.
Integrating physical signs into diagnostic criteria can enhance clinical practice.
A more comprehensive diagnostic approach may mitigate placebo effects in depression research.