Depression, typically endogenous rather than reactive, and of severe degree. Some authorities use melancholia synonymously with depression with psychotic features. In dsm-iv-tr, melancholia is used as a descriptor for major depressive disorder. In addition to showing loss of pleasure in activities (pervasive anhedonia) and lack of reaction to stimuli that ordinarily would be pleasurable, the patient often has psychomotor retardation or agitation, depression that is worse in the morning, early-morning awakening, anorexia nervosa and weight loss, and excessive or inappropriate guilt.
A term used since antiquity to refer to a severe form of depression. In DSM-III-R, the term major depression with melancholia refers to a severe depression that includes loss of pleasure, mood worse in the morning, pspchomotor retardation or agitation, weight loss, and insomnia.
A mental disorder characterized by extreme depression.
A severe depressive illness occurring usually between the ages of 45 and 65.
A clinical syndrome with a tendency to delusion, fixed personality and agitated movements.
Extreme sadness, extreme depression.
A term used in the past for illness characterized by great mental and physical depression.
A term used occasionally for depression, especially for depression complicated by frequent crying, anhedonia, and fearfulness. There may be agitation or retardation. Weight loss, anorexia, insomnia, and worsening of symptoms may occur in the early morning.
A mental disorder marked by severe depression, intense fear, persistent negative thoughts, distressing delusions, and a reluctance to engage in mental or physical tasks. In some cases, there’s significant agitation. The name comes from the Greek word for “black bile,” which ancient Greek doctors believed was the root of this condition.