What is a "depressive disorder"?

[millerjane]

Posting for traffic.

Just had 2nd consultation with psychiatrist - is it too soon for her to name a specific condition?

I believe it means that you have long term or recurring periods of low mood and sadness/depression but not to the point where it is disabling you.

So likely you have times of depression but never or rarely don't make it to work/stay in bed all day etc.

I don't want to get into definitions but there are usually thought to be a range of depressive disorders so she might not have have led to a firm, exact diagnosis that will lead on invariant train tracks to a treatment.

You don't seem happy with the experience, OP. Is it that it just feels early and you've not had time to tell her all you want? Or disagree with the broad diagnosis? Or disagree with any proposed treatments?

Good luck.

Thanks both.

Honestly I just want to get better, sometimes it feels like I'm just being passed around.

I expect you've had lots of to'ing and fro'ing to get to two appointments with a psychiatrist. The system can be fragmented but let's hope you're on the home straight. Try to stay engaged though still evaluate what she says and what treatment she proposes.

You'll know most medication can take time to act so try and remain patient if she changes your medication and try not to stop taking it if you start to feel better, it's usually the medication that is helping you feel better and coming off many abruptly can cause problems.

Good luck.

Persistent low mood for a period of more than two weeks, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, increase or decrease in appetite (and / or weight loss / gain), lowered energy levels, disrupted cognitive function (eg reduced memory, difficulties concentrating), possibly recurrent thoughts of self harm or suicide, lowered self esteem and persistent thoughts of worthlessness / uselessness.

Generally have to present with a number of the above symptoms for a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Symptoms have to be in the clinical range and have persisted a certain length of time. There are a number of different types of depressive disorder