major depression
noun
: a serious mood disorder involving one or more episodes of intense psychological depression or loss of interest or pleasure that lasts two or more weeks and is accompanied by irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, sleep disturbances, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and sometimes suicidal tendencies : clinical depression, major depressive disorder
Episodes of major depression usually last several months and may recur throughout a lifetime.—
The Harvard Mental Health Letter
The Harvard Mental Health LetterPsychiatrists have found that among distinguished artists, the rates of manic depression and major depression are 10 to 30 times as prevalent as in the population at large.—Natalie Angier
Natalie AngierExamples of major depression in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mensah continues to clarify that depression, specifically namely major depression — may include an aspect or advanced state of suicidality or self-harm.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 May 2024
According to Our World in Data, one in three women and one in five men will experience major depression in their lifetime.
—Kyle Russell, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for major depression 
Dominique Fluker, Essence, 8 May 2024
According to Our World in Data, one in three women and one in five men will experience major depression in their lifetime.
—Kyle Russell, USA TODAY, 5 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for major depression
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'major depression.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Major depression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/major%20depression. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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