Assessing unipolar mood disorders in women

Among unipolar mood disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD) has traditio nally been the most widely studied. There is, however, an alarming lack of extant research on the more mild mood disorders. Recent findings indicate t hat, collectively, milder unipolar mood disorders, such as dysthymic disord er (DD), and conditions specific to women, such as premenstrual dysphoric d isorder (PMDD) and postpartum depression, functionally impair a large popul ation of women. The course, mechanisms, and treatments of these illnesses a re outlined, and specific areas of concern, including current available tre atment applicability, gender differences In psychiatric testing, and the us e of biological markers for the detection of illness, are detailed. Directi ons for future research are presented.