Psychotherapy High Wycombe Psychotherapy High Wycombe - Last updated 07 January 2026

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psychopathology: depression

We often compare the psychiatric symptom depressionor depressed mood to sadness or grief in response to a loss, butone of the essential features is loss of interest in life activities. The term isused interchangeably to refer to a mental disorder or to a mood state or symptom.

Also: depressive, major depression, dysthymia, Dysthymic Disorder, mania, bipolar disorder, manic depressive disorder, affective disorder

The online Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders lists most of the major psychological disorders and illnesses and lists the criteria that must be fulfilled in order for a diagnosis to be made. This resource is not a substitute for proper professional psychiatric diagnosis.