Algorithm for the differential diagnosis of clinically significant and persistent depressed mood in adults*^¶

* This algorithm provides an overview for diagnosing patients who present with a depressed mood that is clinically significant and persistent. Making the diagnosis depends upon a comprehensive history and examination. Patients may meet criteria for multiple psychiatric and general medical disorders; the algorithm thus presents the diagnoses in their general order of importance and clinicians should proceed through the entire algorithm.
¶ Refer to UpToDate topic on assessment and diagnosis of unipolar depression in adults.
Δ Depression can refer to a mood state, syndrome, or disorder. Refer to topic on assessment and diagnosis of unipolar depression in adults.