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Medical Disability Advisor  >  Depression Major  >  Complications

Depression, Major

Related Terms

  • Clinical Depression
  • Depressive Psychosis
  • Endogenous Depression
  • Major Depressive Disorder
  • Psychotic Depression
  • Unipolar Depression

Specialists

  • Clinical Psychologist
  • Psychiatrist

Comorbid Conditions

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Factors Influencing Duration

Length of disability may be influenced by the severity of the illness, the presence of complicating factors such as substance abuse or suicide attempts, response to therapy, and job requirements. Only in the most severe and unusual cases should major depression result in permanent disability.

Substance abuse will complicate treatment and may significantly delay returning to work. Suicide attempts that lead to hospitalization will also be associated with longer periods of disability.

Duration Trends from Reference Data

DURATION TRENDS
 ICD-9-CM: 296.2  
CasesMeanMinMaxNo Lost TimeOver 6 Months
117775902661.5%3.6%
 
  
 
Percentile:5th25thMedian75th95th
Days:6214381172
 
  
 

DURATION TRENDS
 ICD-9-CM: 296.3, 296.32, 296.33  
CasesMeanMinMaxNo Lost TimeOver 6 Months
90217403600.2%5.9%
 
  
 
Percentile:5th25thMedian75th95th
Days:13325998183
 
  
 

DURATION TRENDS
 ICD-9-CM: 311  
CasesMeanMinMaxNo Lost TimeOver 6 Months
229406503150.3%4.8%
 
  
 
Percentile:5th25thMedian75th95th
Days:11274888179
 
  
 

Differences may exist between the duration tables and the reference graphs. Duration tables provide expected recovery periods based on the type of work performed by the individual. The reference graphs reflect the actual experience of many individuals across the spectrum of physical conditions, in a variety of industries, and with varying levels of case management. Selected graphs combine multiple codes based on similar means and medians.

Medical Codes

ICD-9-CM:
296.2 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode
296.20 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; Unspecified
296.21 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; Mild
296.22 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; Moderate
296.23 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; Severe, without Mention of Psychotic Behavior
296.24 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; Severe, Specified as with Psychotic Behavior
296.25 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; in Partial or Unspecified Remission
296.26 - Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode; in Full Remission
296.3 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode
296.30 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; Unspecified
296.31 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; Mild
296.32 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; Moderate
296.33 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; Severe, without Mention of Psychotic Behavior
296.34 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; Severe, Specified as with Psychotic Behavior
296.35 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; in Partial or Unspecified Remission
296.36 - Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent Episode; in Full Remission
311 - Depressive Disorder, Not Elsewhere Classified

Complications

Substance abuse, especially alcohol, frequently complicates a diagnosis of depression, although in some cases it may be difficult to determine which problem is primary. About 80% to 90% of individuals with major depression also have anxiety symptoms, such as anxiety, obsessive preoccupation, panic attacks, phobias, and excessive health concerns, and about one-third also have a full-blown anxiety disorder—usually panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or social phobia. Anxiety symptoms may require special treatment but frequently respond to antidepressant medications, reinforcing the view that the two disorders share common brain chemistry imbalances. Approximately 1 in 10 individuals who have experienced a major depressive episode will subsequently be diagnosed as having bipolar mood disorder, a chronic condition with episodes of both depression and mania that may only partly respond to treatment. In some cases, an episode of bipolar mood disorder may emerge as the result of antidepressant medication use.

In extremely severe cases of major depression, psychotic symptoms may be present, such as hearing voices (auditory hallucinations) or having false beliefs (delusions).

Up to 15% of individuals with severe major depression die by suicide. The DSM-IV-TR states that the death rate is 4 times higher over age 55. Suicide attempts may paradoxically occur as the individual begins to respond to therapy because the extreme apathy sometimes seen in major depression before treatment may actually preclude committing suicide due to lack of motivation or energy.

Source: Medical Disability Advisor






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