title: The mistreatment of major depressive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of classification on treatment in major depressive disorder (MDD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a narrative review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDD is a highly heterogeneous category, leading to problems in classification and in specificity of treatment. Current models classify all depressions within a single category. However, the construct of MDD obscures important differences between severe disorders that require pharmacotherapy, and mild-to-moderate disorders that can respond to psychotherapy or remit spontaneously. Patients with mild-to-moderate MDD are being treated with routine or overly aggressive pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current classification fails to address the heterogeneity of depression, leading to mistreatment.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paris
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents