ABSTRACT
Depressive disorders are mood disturbances characterized by persistent and pervasive depression, irritability, or loss of interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities, and accompanied by other symptoms such as disruption in appetite, sleep, energy, and ability to concentrate, and feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or recurrent thoughts of death (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). The category of depressive disorders includes major depressive disorder (MDD), dysthymic disorder, and depressive disorder not otherwise specified.
