Statement of Principles concerning depressive disorder (No. 83 of 2015)

Commonwealth Coat of Arms

Statement of Principles concerning depressive disorder (No. 83 of 2015)

made under subsection 196B(2) of the

Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986

Compilation No. 2

Compilation date: 24 September 2018

Includes amendments up to: Veterans' Entitlements (Statements of Principles—Category 1B Stressor) Amendment Determination 2018 (No. 87 of 2018) (F2018L01188)

The day of commencement of this Amendment Determination is 24 September 2018.

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Statement of Principles concerning depressive disorder (No. 83 of 2015) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 24 September 2018.

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

RMA-Red

Statement of Principles

concerning

DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

(No. 83 of 2015)

The Repatriation Medical Authority determines the following Statement of Principles.

Dated 19 June 2015

Contents

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Application

5 Revocation

6 Definitions

7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates

8 Basis for determining the factors

9 Factors that must exist

10 Relationship to service

11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles

Schedule 1 - Dictionary

1 Definitions

1 Name

This is the Statement of Principles concerning depressive disorder (No. 83 of 2015).

2 Commencement

This instrument commences on 20 July 2015.

3 Authority

This instrument is made under subsection 196B(2) of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

4 Revocation

The Statement of Principles concerning depressive disorder No. 27 of 2008, as amended, made under subsections 196B(2) and (8) of the VEA is revoked.

5 Application

This instrument applies to a claim to which section 120A of the VEA or section 338 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 applies.

6 Definitions

The terms defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary have the meaning given when used in this instrument.

7 Kind of injury, disease or death to which this Statement of Principles relates

(1) This Statement of Principles is about depressive disorder and death from depressive disorder.

Meaning of depressive disorder

(2) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, depressive disorder:

(a) means a group of mental disorders which are manifested by a dysphoric mood and a range of other symptoms. The mood disturbance is prominent and persistent. This definition is limited to major depressive disorder (incorporating major depressive episode), persistent depressive disorder (which includes the condition previously known as dysthymia), other specified depressive disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition and substance/medication-induced depressive disorder; and

(b) excludes disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

Note: depressive disorder due to another medical condition, major depressive disorder (incorporating major depressive episode), other specified depressive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder and substance/medication-induced depressive disorder are defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

Death from depressive disorder

(3) For the purposes of this Statement of Principles, depressive disorder, in relation to a person, includes death from a terminal event or condition that was contributed to by the person’s depressive disorder.

Note: terminal event is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

8 Basis for determining the factors

The Repatriation Medical Authority is of the view that there is sound medical‑scientific evidence that indicates that depressive disorder and death from depressive disorder can be related to relevant service rendered by veterans, members of Peacekeeping Forces, or members of the Forces under the VEA, or members under the MRCA.

Note: relevant service is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

9 Factors that must exist

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting depressive disorder or death from depressive disorder with the circumstances of a person’s relevant service:

(1) for major depressive disorder, major depressive episode, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, other specified depressive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder only:

(a) being a prisoner of war before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(b) experiencing a category 1A stressor within the five years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1A stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(c) experiencing a category 1B stressor within the five years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1B stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(d) having a significant other who experiences a category 1A stressor within the two years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1A stressor and significant other are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(e) experiencing the death of a significant other within the two years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(f) experiencing a category 2 stressor within the one year before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: category 2 stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(g) experiencing severe childhood abuse before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: severe childhood abuse is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(h) having a clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified within the five years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(i) having a medical illness or injury which is life-threatening or which results in serious physical or cognitive disability, within the five years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(j) having epilepsy at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(k) having severe and permanent tinnitus at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(l) having a severe, chronic medical condition for the two years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: severe, chronic medical condition is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(m) having persistent pain of at least three months duration at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: persistent pain is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(n) having a sleep-wake disorder from the specified list for the six months before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: sleep-wake disorder from the specified list is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(o) having a miscarriage, foetal death in-utero or stillbirth, within the six months before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: miscarriage is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(p) having vitamin D deficiency, with a serum 25(OH)D level of less than 25 nanomoles per litre, at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(q) where aged 20 years or more, being obese at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder; or

Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(r) smoking an average of at least 20 cigarettes per day, or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products, for at least the two years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder, and where smoking has ceased the clinical onset of depressive disorder has occurred within the six months of smoking cessation;

Note: cigarettes per day, or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(2) for major depressive disorder, major depressive episode, persistent depressive disorder, other specified depressive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder only:

(a) being pregnant within the one year before the clinical onset of depressive disorder; or

(b) being in the menopausal transition at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: menopausal transition is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(3) for substance/medication-induced depressive disorder only:

(a) being treated with a drug which is associated in the individual with the development of depressive symptoms during drug therapy, and the cessation or significant reduction of the depressive symptoms within days or weeks of discontinuing drug therapy, and where treatment with the drug continued for at least the two days before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(b) having ceased or reduced therapeutic or illicit drugs within the 30 days before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(c) having alcohol use disorder at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

(d) taking a drug or a drug from a class of drugs from the specified list of drugs, within the 30 days before the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: specified list of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

(e) having an episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester within the 30 days before the clinical onset of depressive disorder; or

Note: acute cholinergic poisoning and organophosphorus ester are defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

(f) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with organic solvents, in an unventilated and confined space, on more days than not for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical onset of depressive disorder, and where the clinical onset of depressive disorder occurs within two years of that period;

(4) for depressive disorder due to another medical condition only:

(a) having an endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, infectious or neurological disorder, where the medical condition is a direct physiological cause of the depression at the time of the clinical onset of depressive disorder;

Note: medical condition is a direct physiological cause of the depression is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

(5) experiencing a category 1A stressor within the five years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1A stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(6) experiencing a category 1B stressor within the five years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1B stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(7) having a significant other who experiences a category 1A stressor within the two years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: category 1A stressor and significant other are defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(8) experiencing the death of a significant other within the two years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(9) experiencing a category 2 stressor within the one year before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: category 2 stressor is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(10) experiencing severe childhood abuse before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: severe childhood abuse is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(11) having a clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified within the five years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(12) having a medical illness or injury which is life-threatening or which results in serious physical or cognitive disability, within the five years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(13) having epilepsy at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(14) having severe and permanent tinnitus at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(15) having a severe, chronic medical condition for the two years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: severe, chronic medical condition is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(16) having persistent pain of at least three months duration at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: persistent pain is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(17) having a sleep-wake disorder from the specified list for the six months before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: sleep-wake disorder from the specified list is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(18) having a miscarriage, foetal death in-utero or stillbirth, within the six months before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: miscarriage is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(19) having vitamin D deficiency, with a serum 25(OH)D level of less than 25 nanomoles per litre, at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(20) where aged 20 years or more, being obese at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: being obese is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(21) being pregnant within the one year before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(22) being in the menopausal transition at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: menopausal transition is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(23) being treated with a drug which is associated in the individual with the development of depressive symptoms during drug therapy, and the cessation or significant reduction of the depressive symptoms within days or weeks of discontinuing drug therapy, and where treatment with the drug continued for at least the two days before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(24) having ceased or reduced therapeutic or illicit drugs within the 30 days before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(25) having alcohol use disorder at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

(26) taking a drug or a drug from a class of drugs from the specified list of drugs, within the 30 days before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: specified list of drugs is defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

(27) having an episode of acute cholinergic poisoning from exposure to an organophosphorus ester within the 30 days before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: acute cholinergic poisoning and organophosphorus ester are defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

(28) inhaling, ingesting or having cutaneous contact with organic solvents, in an unventilated and confined space, on more days than not for a continuous period of at least five years before the clinical worsening of depressive disorder, and where the clinical worsening of depressive disorder occurs within two years of that period;

(29) having a medical condition as specified at the time of the clinical worsening of depressive disorder;

Note: medical condition as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

(30) inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for depressive disorder.

10 Relationship to service

(1) The existence in a person of any factor referred to in section 9 must be related to the relevant service rendered by the person.

(2) The factors set out in subsections 9(5) to 9(30) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, depressive disorder where the person’s depressive disorder was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.

11 Factors referring to an injury or disease covered by another Statement of Principles

In this Statement of Principles:

(1) if a factor referred to in section 9 applies in relation to a person; and

(2) that factor refers to an injury or disease in respect of which a Statement of Principles has been determined under subsection 196B(2) of the VEA;

then the factors in that Statement of Principles apply in accordance with the terms of that Statement of Principles as in force from time to time.

Schedule 1 - Dictionary

Note: See Section 6

1 Definitions

In this instrument:

acute cholinergic poisoning means symptoms and signs due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity which occur within twenty-four hours following exposure. These symptoms and signs are acute paralysis, overwhelming bronchial secretions, bradycardia, gastrointestinal distress, miosis, lacrimation or diarrhoea.

being obese means having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

The BMI = W/H2 and where:

W is the person's weight in kilograms; and

H is the person's height in metres.

category 1A stressor means one of the following severe traumatic events:

(a) experiencing a life-threatening event;

(b) being subject to a serious physical attack or assault including rape and sexual molestation; or

(c) being threatened with a weapon, being held captive, being kidnapped, or being tortured.

category 1B stressor means one of the following severe traumatic events:

(a) killing or maiming a person;

(b) being an eyewitness to a person being killed or critically injured;

(c) being an eyewitness to atrocities inflicted on another person;

(d) participating in the clearance of a corpse or a critically injured casualty; or

(e) viewing a corpse or a critically injured casualty as an eyewitness.

Note: corpse and eyewitness are also defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

category 2 stressor means one of the following negative life events, the effects of which are chronic in nature and cause the person to feel on-going distress, concern or worry:

(a) being socially isolated and unable to maintain friendships or family relationships, due to physical location, language barriers, disability, or medical or psychiatric illness;

(b) experiencing a problem with a long-term relationship including the break-up of a close personal relationship, the need for marital or relationship counselling, marital separation, or divorce;

(c) having concerns in the work or school environment including on-going disharmony with fellow work or school colleagues, perceived lack of social support within the work or school environment, perceived lack of control over tasks performed and stressful work loads, or experiencing bullying in the workplace or school environment;

(d) experiencing serious legal issues including being detained or held in custody, on-going involvement with the police concerning violations of the law, or court appearances associated with personal legal problems;

(e) having severe financial hardship including loss of employment, long periods of unemployment, foreclosure on a property, or bankruptcy;

(f) having a family member or significant other experience a major deterioration in their health; or

(g) being a full-time caregiver to a family member or significant other with a severe physical, mental or developmental disability.

cigarettes per day, or the equivalent thereof in other tobacco products means either cigarettes, pipe tobacco or cigars, alone or in any combination where one tailor-made cigarette approximates one gram of tobacco; or one gram of cigar, pipe or other smoking tobacco.

clinically significant disorder of mental health as specified means one of the following conditions, which is of sufficient severity to warrant ongoing management, which may involve regular visits (for example, at least monthly) to a psychiatrist, counsellor or general practitioner:

(a) a disruptive, impulse-control or conduct disorder;

(b) a dissociative disorder;

(c) a feeding disorder or eating disorder;

(d) a neurocognitive disorder;

(e) a neurodevelopmental disorder;

(f) a paraphilic disorder;

(g) a personality disorder;

(h) a schizophrenia spectrum disorder or other psychotic disorder;

(i) a sexual dysfunction;

(j) a somatic symptom disorder or related disorder;

(k) a substance use disorder;

(l) a trauma and stressor-related disorder;

(m) an alcohol use disorder;

(n) an anxiety disorder;

(o) an obsessive compulsive disorder or related disorder;

(p) another depressive disorder; or

(q) gender dysphoria.

corpse means the human remains or body parts of one or more persons who have met a violent or horrific death.

Note: Examples of a violent or horrific death may include death due to suicide, gunshot, improvised explosive devices, natural and technological disasters, terrorist attacks or motor vehicle accidents. Seeing a closed body bag or viewing a body in an open-casket coffin are excluded from this definition.

depressive disorder—see subsection 7(2).

depressive disorder due to another medical condition means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5):

(a) A prominent and persistent period of depressed mood or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities that predominates in the clinical picture.

(b) There is evidence from the history, physical examination or laboratory findings that the disturbance is the direct pathophysiological consequence of another medical condition.

(c) The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder (for example, adjustment disorder, with depressed mood, in which the stressor is a serious medical condition).

(d) The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.

(e) The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

DSM-5 means the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Arlington, VA, American Psychiatric Association, 2013.

eyewitness means a person who experiences an incident first hand and can give direct evidence of it. This excludes persons exposed only to public broadcasting or mass media coverage of the incident.

inhalants means breathable chemicals that produce psychoactive vapours or fumes and include organic solvents, aerosols and some anaesthetics.

Note: organic solvents is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

major depressive disorder (incorporating major depressive episode) means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5):

(a) Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (i) depressed mood or (ii) loss of interest or pleasure.

(i) Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (for example, feels sad, empty, hopeless) or observation made by others (for example, appears tearful).

Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

(ii) Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation).

(iii) Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (for example, a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. (In children, consider failure to make expected weight gain.)

(iv) Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day.

(v) Psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down).

(vi) Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day.

(vii) Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick).

(viii) Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others).

(ix) Recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide.

(b) The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

(c) The episode is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance or to another medical condition.

Note: Criteria (a)-(c) represent a major depressive episode.

(d) The occurrence of the major depressive episode is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or other specified and unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.

(e) There has never been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode.

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

medical condition as specified means an endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, infectious, or neurological condition, that causes symptoms consistent with depression, as a direct physiological consequence of the condition.

medical condition is a direct physiological cause of the depression means one or more of the medical condition's signs or symptoms present as signs or symptoms of depression and are directly related to the pathological process of the medical condition, and:

(a) the depressive disorder has a close temporal relationship with the onset or exacerbation of the medical condition, and the depressive disorder developed at the same time or after the onset of the medical condition;

(b) treatment which causes remission of the medical condition also results in remission of the depressive symptoms; or

(c) features of the depressive disorder, such as an unusual age of onset, a qualitative difference in symptoms, or disproportionately severe or unusual symptoms, are inconsistent with a primary diagnosis of any of the depressive disorders.

menopausal transition means the time from when the first menopausal symptoms appear until there has been no menstrual period for 12 consecutive months.

miscarriage means the spontaneous or induced expulsion of the products of conception from the uterus before the foetus is viable.

MRCA means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

organic solvents means:

(a) chlorinated organic solvents;

(b) aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents;

(c) aromatic hydrocarbon solvents; or

(d) oxygenated organic solvents.

organophosphorus ester means an agent used to inhibit acetylcholinesterase, and includes the organophosphate pesticides chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, EPN, leptophos, methamidophos, mipafox (diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate), omethoate, parathion, TOCP (tri-ortho-cresyl phosphate), trichlorfon and trichlornat.

other specified depressive disorder and unspecified depressive disorder are mental disorders (derived from DSM-5) with prominent symptoms of depression that cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning. These depressive symptoms do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for any of the other disorders in the depressive disorders diagnostic class.

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

persistent depressive disorder means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5):

(a) Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others, for at least 2 years.

Note: In children and adolescents, mood can be irritable and duration must be at least 1 year.

(b) Presence, while depressed, of two (or more) of the following:

(i) Poor appetite or overeating.

(ii) Insomnia or hypersomnia.

(iii) Low energy or fatigue.

(iv) Low self-esteem.

(v) Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions.

(vi) Feelings of hopelessness.

(c) During the 2-year period (1 year for children or adolescents) of the disturbance, the individual has never been without the symptoms in Criteria (a) and (b) for more than 2 months at a time.

(d) Criteria for a major depressive disorder may be continuously present for 2 years.

(e) There has never been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode and criteria have never been met for cyclothymic disorder.

(f) The disturbance is not better explained by a persistent schizoaffective disorder, schizophrenia, delusional disorder or other specified or unspecified schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorder.

(g) The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (for example, a drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition (for example, hypothyroidism).

(h) The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

persistent pain means:

(a) continuous;

(b) almost continuous; or

(c) frequent, severe, intermittent pain;

which may or may not be ameliorated by analgesic medication and is of a level to cause interference with usual work or leisure activities or activities of daily living.

premenstrual dysphoric disorder means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5):

(a) In the majority of menstrual cycles, at least five symptoms must be present in the final week before the onset of menses, start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses, and become minimal or absent in the week postmenses.

(b) One (or more) of the following symptoms must be present:

(i) Marked affective lability (for example, mood swings, feeling suddenly sad or tearful, or increased sensitivity to rejection).

(ii) Marked irritability or anger or increased interpersonal conflicts.

(iii) Marked depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness or self-deprecating thoughts.

(iv) Marked anxiety, tension and/or feelings of being keyed up or on edge.

(c) One (or more) of the following symptoms must additionally be present, to reach a total of five symptoms when combined with symptoms from Criterion (b) above.

(i) Decreased interest in usual activities (for example, work, school, friends, hobbies).

(ii) Subjective difficulty in concentration.

(iii) Lethargy, easy fatigability, or marked lack of energy.

(iv) Marked change in appetite, overeating or specific food cravings.

(v) Hypersomnia or insomnia.

(vi) A sense of being overwhelmed or out of control.

(vii) Physical symptoms such as breast tenderness or swelling, joint or muscle pain, a sensation of "bloating" or weight gain.

(d) The symptoms are associated with clinically significant distress or interference with work, school, usual social activities or relationships with others (for example, avoidance of social activities, decreased productivity and efficiency at work, school or home).

(e) The disturbance is not merely an exacerbation of the symptoms of another disorder, such as major depressive disorder, panic disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) or a personality disorder (although it may co-occur with any of these disorders).

(f) Criterion (a) should be confirmed by prospective daily ratings during at least two symptomatic cycles.

(g) The symptoms are not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (for example, a drug of abuse, a medication, other treatment) or another medical condition (for example, hyperthyroidism).

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

relevant service means:

(a) operational service under the VEA;

(b) peacekeeping service under the VEA;

(c) hazardous service under the VEA;

(d) British nuclear test defence service under the VEA;

(e) warlike service under the MRCA; or

(f) non-warlike service under the MRCA.

severe childhood abuse means:

(a) serious physical, emotional, psychological or sexual harm whilst a child aged under 16 years; or

(b) neglect involving a serious failure to provide the necessities for health, physical and emotional development, or wellbeing whilst a child aged under 16 years;

where such serious harm or neglect has been perpetrated by a parent, a care provider, an adult who works with or around that child, or any other adult in contact with that child.

severe, chronic medical condition means an illness which substantially impacts on social, occupational or other important areas of functioning; and requires on-going daily or almost daily management of symptoms. This management may include, but is not limited to, assistance with activities of daily living; bed rest; dietary modification; drug therapy; nursing care; oxygen therapy or physiotherapy. This management must be supervised by a registered health practitioner.

Severe, chronic medical conditions do not usually resolve spontaneously, are rarely cured completely and may progress to life threatening illnesses. Examples of these conditions include poorly controlled asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, poorly controlled diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, pemphigus, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

significant other means a person who has a close family bond or a close personal relationship and is important or influential in one’s life.

sleep-wake disorder from the specified list means:

(a) hypersomnolence disorder;

(b) insomnia disorder;

(c) narcolepsy;

(d) restless legs syndrome;

(e) substance/medication-induced sleep disorder insomnia type; or

(f) untreated obstructive sleep apnoea.

specified list of drugs means:

(a) alpha-adrenoceptor agonists;

(b) amantadine;

(c) amphetamines and amphetamine-type substances, including methamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy);

(d) anabolic-androgenic steroids;

(e) angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors;

(f) antiepileptics;

(g) atypical antipsychotics;

(h) benzodiazepines;

(i) beta adrenergic blocking agents;

(j) calcium channel blockers;

(k) centrally acting antihypertensives;

(l) clozapine;

(m) cocaine;

(n) corticosteroids, excluding topical or inhaled corticosteroids;

(o) depot medroxyprogesterone acetate;

(p) digoxin;

(q) fluoroquinolone antibiotics;

(r) fluphenazine;

(s) fluspirilene;

(t) gonadotropin releasing agents;

(u) hallucinogens;

(v) hydralazine;

(w) inhalants;

(x) interferons;

(y) interleukin-2;

(z) isocarboxazid;

(aa) ketamine;

(bb) levodopa;

(cc) marijuana;

(dd) mefloquine;

(ee) opiate analgesics;

(ff) oral contraceptive agents;

(gg) phencyclidine;

(hh) reserpine;

(ii) rimonabant; or

(jj) thiazide.

Note: inhalants is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

substance/medication-induced depressive disorder means a disorder of mental health meeting the following diagnostic criteria (derived from DSM-5):

(a) A prominent and persistent disturbance in mood that predominates in the clinical picture and is characterised by depressed mood or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities.

(b) There is evidence from the history, physical examination or laboratory findings of both (i) and (ii):

(i) The symptoms in Criterion (a) developed during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawal or after exposure to a medication.

(ii) The involved substance/medication is capable of producing the symptoms in Criterion (a).

(c) The disturbance is not better explained by a depressive disorder that is not substance/medication-induced. Such evidence of an independent depressive disorder could include the following:

(i) The symptoms preceded the onset of the substance/medication use; the symptoms persist for a substantial period of time (for example, about 1 month) after the cessation of acute withdrawal or severe intoxication; or there is other evidence suggesting the existence of an independent non-substance/medication-induced depressive disorder (for example, a history of recurrent non-substance/medication-related episodes).

(d) The disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.

(e) The disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Note: DSM-5 is also defined in the Schedule 1 – Dictionary.

terminal event means the proximate or ultimate cause of death and includes the following:

(a) pneumonia;

(b) respiratory failure;

(c) cardiac arrest;

(d) circulatory failure; or

(e) cessation of brain function.

VEA means the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986.

Note: Endnotes

Note: Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

Note: Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Note: Endnote 3—Legislation history

Note: Endnote 4—Amendment history