retarded depression
- noun
- /rɪˈtɑrdɪd dɪˈprɛʃən/
- Formal
- The patient was diagnosed with retarded depression after exhibiting extreme lethargy and slow movements.
Examples
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In cases of retarded depression, individuals may find it hard to begin even simple daily tasks.
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Treatment plans for retarded depression often address both mood symptoms and psychomotor slowing.
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She has retarded depression.
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Don't underestimate retarded depression!
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In cases of retarded depression, individuals may find it hard to begin even simple daily tasks.
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The patient was diagnosed with retarded depression after exhibiting extreme lethargy and slow movements.
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Treatment plans for retarded depression often address both mood symptoms and psychomotor slowing.
Synonyms
A long lasting medical illness of deep sadness that needs treatment by a doctor
A serious mental illness doctors diagnose that causes long deep sadness and loss of interest and often needs treatment
Long periods of deep sadness and loss of interest that make daily life hard and often need medical help
Antonyms
How Active
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a regular adjective+noun composition: 'retarded' (slowed) modifies 'depression' (a depressive disorder), so the meaning 'depression characterized by slowed physical and mental activity' is directly derivable from the parts. A B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer this clinical sense, though the adjective 'retarded' has strong negative/pejorative uses in other contexts which may cause confusion about register.
Etymology
Retarded depression may come from the older use of retarded meaning 'made slow'. Imagine a person who moves and thinks so slowly they can hardly start a simple task; that image explains why the phrase means a kind of depression with very slow movement and thinking.