Major depressive disorder is a mental condition of a patient who exhibits chronic sadness, irritability, sleep and eating disturbances, anxiety, slowness of thought, feelings of worthlessness, and are at increased risk of committing suicide. The nurse caring for a patient with major depressive disorder must monitor the patient for suicidal tendencies and potentials, such as verbally expressing his plans on committing suicide, making last will and goodbye notes, and purchasing suspicious amount of drugs, ropes and guns. The nurse must also be alerted if the patient is significantly experiencing command hallucinations, and directly ask the patient if he has plans to commit suicide. Questions about sadness, sociality, and eating may be helpful in diagnosing depression, but do not help determine the risk of suicide.