Which is NOT a type of major depressive disorder?

• A. Seasonal
• B. Melancholic
• C. Catatonic
• D. Posttraumatic

Answer: (D)

Major depressive disorder can be described with several specifiers that capture the pattern or features of the depressive episode. Melancholic features describe a particularly severe form with mood that’s distinctly different from the person's normal mood, along with signs like anhedonia and early morning awakening. Catatonic features involve motor abnormalities, such as marked retardation or agitation, or odd postures and resistance to movement. A seasonal pattern indicates that depressive episodes recur or are tied to certain times of the year.

Posttraumatic, on the other hand, refers to posttraumatic stress disorder, a separate condition that arises after trauma. Trauma can contribute to depression, but “posttraumatic” is not a recognized depressive subtype or specifier. Thus, the one not representing a type of major depressive disorder is the posttraumatic option.