What is primarily affected in someone with major depressive disorder?

In someone with major depressive disorder, the primary impact is on their overall functioning, which includes emotional, cognitive, and social aspects of life. The condition is characterized by a significant change from their previous level of functioning, meaning that individuals may experience a marked decline in how they manage daily activities, relationships, and emotional regulation. This change encompasses various domains, such as decreased motivation, difficulty concentrating, alterations in sleep patterns, and reduced interest in previously enjoyed activities.

While physical health, academic performance, and social interactions can all be affected by major depressive disorder, they are merely components of the broader picture of functioning. The disorder leads to a profound shift in how an individual operates in their daily life, indicating that the hallmark feature is not just the symptoms themselves but the extent to which these symptoms disrupt the individual’s usual ways of being. Thus, focusing on the change from previous functioning captures the essence of how major depressive disorder uniquely impacts individuals compared to just one category of their life.