Forming the Diagnostic Impression

Two classification systems are often used for diagnostic and billing purposes by social workers who counsel clients who have mental health disorders. One was developed by the World Health Organization, which sponsored the International Classification of Diseases and the other by the American Psychiatric Association (1994), which publishes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). 

In the past, social work practitioners often had difficulty establishing and separating the diagnostic criteria for major depression and other disorders, because the manuals differed and classification criteria did not overlap. This is no longer the case The DSM-IV diagnostic categories are clearly related to the ICD-9 and ICD-10 (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Most social workers can now concentrate primarily on defin- 

To date, two types of major depression have been postulated. The first is often referred to as endogenous or melancholic depression. In this type of major depression, symptoms of depressed mood are related directly to internal biologic factors such as neurotransmitter dysfunction (Kaplan Sadock, 1990 Tierney et al., 1997). Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), referred to historically as shock treatments, is often considered an endogenous treatment. Here, direct (biologic) stimulation of the neurotransmission process is the treatment strategy. Similar to ECT, antidepressant medications also are successful in lifting endogenous depression, with the major difference that they affect the neurochemical pathways chemically rather than electrically (Maxmen Ward, 1995). 

M Jor depressive disorder singie episode (presence of a singie msjor depressive episode) 

Recurrent (presence of two or more major depressive episodes) 

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