title: [Major depression invites major concerns].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To overview limitations to the concept and construct of major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The objectives in initially conceptualizing major depression are examined against its subsequent utility and relevance to clinicians and researchers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It is argued that, as defined, major depression does not differentiate clinical depression well from expressions of non-clinical depression or sadness, that its criteria set do not generate reliable diagnoses, that a diagnosis of major depression means little in and of itself (as it effectively comprises multiple types of depression) and that it fails to inform us about cause, natural history or differential treatment response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations to the concept of major depression would benefit from wider appreciation to advance changes to the clinical diagnosis of depressive sub-types.
authors: Escola de Psiquiatria, University of New South Wales, and Black Dog Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Gordon
authors: G
authors: Parker
authors: Heather
authors: H
authors: Brotchie
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013577:Syndrome