Introduction
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is recognized
as a chronic mental health problem characterized by a
two-week episode of at least one of two major criterion
symptoms, depressed mood and loss of interest in
activities, in combination with at least five of the
following nine symptoms: depressed mood; loss of
interest in activities; weight loss or weight gain;
insomnia or hypersomnia; psychomotor agitation
or retardation; fatigue or loss of energy; feelings of