Major depressive episode

A period marked by a severely depressed mood and a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, accompanied by symptoms such as significant weight change, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. These symptoms must persist for at least two weeks and indicate a change from previous functioning, often leading to significant impairment in daily life. Major Depressive Episode is a critical component of Major Depressive Disorder and primarily affects individuals experiencing severe depressive symptoms.