(mel‵ăn-kō'lē-ă )

[L. melancholia fr. Gr. melankholia, black bile (the cause of sadness)]

Extreme depression, esp. when complicated by frequent crying, anhedonia, and fearfulness. There may be agitation or retardation, loss or gain of weight, anorexia, and insomnia. Symptoms may be worse in the morning.

affective m.Melancholia observed in depressed phase of manic-depressive psychoses.

SEE: bipolar disorder.

climacteric m.Melancholia occurring at the time of menopause.

panphobic m.Melancholia accompanied by extraordinary fearfulness.

suicidal m.Melancholia combined with an impulse to commit suicide.