Melancholic and atypical depression specifiers

Meet the patients — both of them

Bed 4. A 68-year-old man, three weeks in. He wakes at 3am, is worst before breakfast, has lost 7 kg, sits without moving, and tells you flatly that he has ruined his family. His daughter visits with good news about a grandchild. Nothing happens to his face.^[7][9]

Clinic, 2pm. A 26-year-old woman, depressed for eight months. She sleeps eleven hours, eats constantly, describes her legs as "filled with wet sand," and has left two jobs after being criticised. A friend texts something kind and she brightens for an hour — then it closes over again.^[4][6]

Same DSM chapter. Opposite illnesses. One question separates them, and one answer changes the treatment plan: does good news get through?^[1][4][7]

References16ShowHide

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