major depressive episode
1
6.1
- noun
- /ˈmeɪdʒər dɪˈprɛsɪv ˈɛpɪsoʊd/
- Specialized
:
episodio depresivo mayor
- major depressive episode and manic
Examples
-
10% of men will suffer a major depressive episode during their lifetime.
Blog text (26) -
The depressive episodes do not reach sufficient severity or duration to merit a diagnosis of a major depressive episode, but mood disturbance is a continuing problem for the patient and interferes with everyday functioning.
Academic text (2012) -
This runs somewhat contrary to previous research, where major depressive episode(s) were positively associated with nonmedical prescription drug use among rural adolescents (Havens et al., 2011).
Academic text (2018) -
Steer, Brown, Beck, and Sanderson (2001) found that mean BDI scores of 18, 27, and 34 were associated with mild, moderate, and severe major depressive episodes, respectively.
Academic text (2002) -
Many people do not realize that a major depressive episode can drastically affect someone's daily life and relationships.
-
During a major depressive episode, individuals often experience overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and lack of interest in once-enjoyed activities.
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Research indicates that nearly one in five adults will endure a major depressive episode at some point in their lives.
Synonyms
330
3.7
A deep feeling of sadness and loss of interest in life
8
3.9
A serious mental illness doctors diagnose that causes long deep sadness and loss of interest and often needs treatment
3
4.8
Long periods of deep sadness and loss of interest that make daily life hard and often need medical help
How Severe
- Specialized
1
6.1
- Specialized
1
9.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
major + depressive + episode
The meaning is directly compositional: 'major' (severe/important) + 'depressive' (relating to depression) + 'episode' (an occurrence or period), so a learner who knows those words can infer a severe period of depression. Although it's a clinical term, there is no idiomatic shift or metaphor—its parts combine in a predictable, cross-linguistically common way.
Etymology
Major depressive episode is like a simple picture: major means very large or serious, depressive comes from a word that means 'to press down' so you can imagine being pushed down, and episode means a time or scene. So the phrase refers to a strong, lasting period when someone feels 'very low', loses interest, and cannot do their normal activities.