Original SDMB thread - Clinical Depression
Sentinel:
quote:
Basically clinical depression is any form of depression which requires treatment.
Hmm, rather circular, isn't it?
Shrink: Your honor, we move for a ruling in favor of involuntary psychiatric commitment.
Judge: Then you feel, I take it, that the patient suffers from a grave mental illness?
Shrink: The patient suffers from clinical depression, your honor.
Judge: Clinical depression? Is that a major mental illness of the sort that requires psychiatric treatment?
Shrink: It is indeed, your honor.
Judge: And on what basis did you arrive at your diagnosis of clinical depression in this patient's case?
Shrink: The diagnosis was determined by the observation that the patient is in need of psychiatric treatment, your honor.
Judge: And how was the determination for that need made?
Shrink: Well, the patient has clinical depression, your honor, and clinical depression requires psychiatric treatment.
Judge: Hmm, I see...