title: [Diagnosis of depressive disorder and so-called exhaustion depression. Self-esteem--a central concept].
abstract: Depressive disorders can be recognized by the loss of self-esteem; this contrasts with mourning and neurasthenic reactions, in which self-esteem remains intact. Just as depression can result from the gradual reduction and eventual loss of self-esteem, mourning and neurasthenic reactions can evolve into true depressive states. "Exhaustion depression", a new diagnostic category connected to "burnout" situations, should be applied only when criteria for depressive disorder are fulfilled, including loss of self-esteem. When these criteria are lacking we should refer only to an exhaustion state provoked by stress. Neurotic mechanisms may represent a special class of relevant stress factors, but are not seen in manifest neurasthenic reactions and exhaustion depression.
authors.affiliation: j.beck-friis@telia.com
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beck-Friis
mesh_terms: D001247:Asthenia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D003210:Concept Formation; D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D009440:Neurasthenia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012649:Self Concept; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology