What is a significant feature of Major Depressive Disorder?

A significant feature of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is the presence of at least one Major Depressive Episode. This is a critical criterion for the diagnosis, as outlined in the DSM-5. A Major Depressive Episode is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or a lack of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, alongside other symptoms such as significant weight change, trouble sleeping, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating, among others.

To meet the diagnostic criteria for MDD, it is essential that an individual has experienced one or more of these episodes, as this serves as the foundational basis for the disorder's classification. Without this episode, a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder cannot be made.