The diagnosis of depressive disorders has suffered important modifications throughout DSM and ICD editions. The history of those modifications is an important subject to fully understand the current diagnostic criteria and classification, with milestones often set not by scientific or theoretical data but rather by political decision and conflicting interests.

The authors propose a review of how the concept of major depression has evolved along the several DSM and ICD editions.

The results were obtained searching literature included on the platforms PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO and Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection.

The current diagnostic entity lacks validity and utility and that is an obstacle to both scientific research and clinical practice.

The authors also discuss alternative models which may contribute to a paradigm shift more suitable to clinical reality and to provide a useful framework for all levels of research.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.