ABSTRACT
The predominant feature of mood disorders is the experience of dysphoric and/or euphoric states that deviate markedly from societal norms and create significant distress or impairment in functioning. The mood disorders encompass a variety of affective problems that include major (or unipolar) depression, bipolar disorder, cylothymia, dysthymia, and substance-induced mood disorder. Depressive disorders are a subset of the mood disorders and include major depression, dythymia, and depressive disorder (not otherwise specified [NOS]). The prevalence and functional impact of depressive disorders are substantial, necessitating an implementation of primary and secondary prevention (or assessment) strategies that facilitate efficient and effective recognition of clinical depression, assist in the selection of appropriate target behaviors, and help in designing intervention programs. Accurate detection of depressive symptoms and disorders requires a comprehensive assessment process that is based on awareness of diagnostic criteria, knowledge of risk factors, and utilization of a multimethod assessment strategy. Moreover, application of assessment strategies throughout the intervention process is essential for monitoring patient progress and facilitating clinical decision-making. Given the significance of the assessment process in recognizing and treating patients with depressive disorders, this chapter
highlights characteristic symptoms and risk factors, elucidates a range of assessment strategies, focuses on pragmatic issues associated with assessing depressive disorders in clinical practice, and concludes with a case illustration depicting the use of assessment methods prior to and during psychotherapy.
