The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition's (DSM-IV) diagnosis of major depressive episodes (MDE) is based on five criteria (see Table 1, page 273). The "A" criteria cover symptoms; the "C" criteria cover distress and low-functioning; the other three criteria are based on "exclusions." It is in the last criteria where the bereavement exclusion was included, stipulating that "The symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement, ie, after the loss of a loved one, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomoter retardation."
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