Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) can show up quietly — fatigue, low mood, sleep changes, and loss of interest often hiding in plain sight. As a psychiatric NP, you need a cheat sheet that brings structure to subtle chaos. This guide covers DSM-5 criteria (5+ symptoms for 2+ weeks), PHQ-9 scoring, key subtypes (melancholic, atypical, seasonal), and high-risk flags like suicidal ideation, psychotic features, or functional impairment. It helps you catch the patterns patients may not say out loud.
From first-line meds like SSRIs and SNRIs to monitoring side effects, titration schedules, and augmentation strategies, this reference gives you a full toolkit at a glance. It also highlights when to consider therapy, ECT, or lifestyle-based adjuncts like exercise and sleep hygiene. Depression is common — but with the right clinical eye and timely action, your care can be anything but routine.