Depression – it's a complex word with multiple meanings.[1]

For many patients, depression is more than simply being sad and comes in a variety of forms including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).[2] Some people may associate MDD with that temporary feeling of sadness, when in fact, people may experience an array of symptoms.[2] With your signatures and support, we'd like to encourage two of the nation's popular dictionaries – Dictionary.com and Oxford Dictionary – to expand people's understanding of depression by considering adding MDD and all of the symptoms associated with it to their dictionaries.

In addition to depressed mood or sadness, MDD is a combination of other symptoms that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act including: changes in appetite or weight, loss of interest, insomnia or oversleeping, loss of energy, restlessness or having slowed speech and movements, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty thinking or making decisions and thoughts of suicide. MDD includes five or more of the symptoms above including either depressed mood or decreased interest or pleasure.[3] It's important that individuals recognize all of these symptoms, but only a healthcare professional can officially diagnose MDD. If you or a loved one is experiencing any signs and symptoms nearly every day associated with MDD or other forms of depression, please consult a qualified healthcare professional for more information.

MDD is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S.[2] Each year about 6.7% of U.S. adults experience MDD.[4] Only about an estimated 50% of patients experiencing a major depressive episode in a given year receive any type of depression treatment.[5]

It is important to educate people about the many symptoms of MDD. And with support from the mental health community and the general public, we can start by approaching popular resources for language in our country – the dictionaries – to help us in this effort. Please join us in bringing greater awareness to MDD by signing below and sharing this petition with your networks via Facebook and Twitter (#MDDis).*

[1] Dictionary.com. Definition of 'Depression.' Available here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/depression?.... [Last Accessed: March 11, 2015]
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. Depression. Available here: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/i....[Last Accessed: March 11, 2015].
[3] American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing, pp. 160-161.
[4] R. Kessler, (2005). Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005; 62(6): 593-602
[5] HM Gonzalez, Depression Care in the United States (2010) JAMA Psychiatry 2010; 67(1): 37-4

* Disclaimer: Information collected, including name and email address, will only be used for the purpose of this petition, will be treated in confidence, and not be disclosed to any other party.