Melancholic Depression: Definition and Clinical Features

Key Characteristics of Melancholic Depression

• Melancholia represents a severe form of major depressive disorder (MDD) with distinctive qualitative features that differentiate it from other forms of depression 1
• The essential feature is the loss of interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities, or a lack of reactivity to usually pleasurable stimuli 1
• Physical symptoms commonly present include early morning awakening, marked psychomotor retardation or agitation, and significant anorexia or weight loss 1