ABSTRACT
The diagnostic categories in DSM-III-R are the 'major depressive episode', which requires the presence of at least five of the following symptoms nearly every day for a period of at least two weeks, including one or other of the first two symptoms listed: (1) dysphoric mood; (2) loss of interest or pleasure in all (or almost all) usual activities; (3) decreased appetite or weight loss (or increased appetite and weight gain); (4) insomnia or hypersomnia; (5) psychomotor retardation or agitation; (6) loss of energy or feelings of fatigue; (7) feelings of worthlessness, or excessive or inappropriate guilt; (8) diminished ability to think, concentrate, make decisions; and (9) recurrent thoughts of death, or suicidal thoughts or actions. The assessment of a person who presents with depressive complaints needs to be fairly broad. It may be helpful to have a general guide to the planning of the session prior to the elaboration of the interview itself.
