Chronic depressed mood lasting at least 2 years in adults is most characteristic of which diagnosis?

Chronic depressed mood lasting at least 2 years in adults is most characteristic of which diagnosis?

• A. Major depressive disorder
• B. Persistent depressive disorder
• C. Bipolar disorder
• D. Cyclothymic disorder

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is the duration and pattern of depressive symptoms. Chronic depressed mood lasting at least two years in adults points to persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymia). This diagnosis is defined by depressed mood most days for the majority of the time over at least two years, with symptoms that are typically milder than a major depressive episode but durable enough to cause ongoing impairment. There may be additional symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, or feelings of hopelessness, and the person can sometimes experience a major depressive episode superimposed on this chronic course. In contrast, major depressive disorder requires discrete major depressive episodes—distinct periods of several weeks with a specific cluster of symptoms—rather than a continuous two-year pattern. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania or hypomania in addition to depressive periods. Cyclothymic disorder features chronic mood fluctuations with periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms lasting years but never meeting full criteria for a major depressive episode or mania. So the two-year duration of persistent depressive mood best fits persistent depressive disorder.

The key idea here is the duration and pattern of depressive symptoms. Chronic depressed mood lasting at least two years in adults points to persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymia). This diagnosis is defined by depressed mood most days for the majority of the time over at least two years, with symptoms that are typically milder than a major depressive episode but durable enough to cause ongoing impairment. There may be additional symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, or feelings of hopelessness, and the person can sometimes experience a major depressive episode superimposed on this chronic course.

In contrast, major depressive disorder requires discrete major depressive episodes—distinct periods of several weeks with a specific cluster of symptoms—rather than a continuous two-year pattern. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mania or hypomania in addition to depressive periods. Cyclothymic disorder features chronic mood fluctuations with periods of depressive and hypomanic symptoms lasting years but never meeting full criteria for a major depressive episode or mania.

So the two-year duration of persistent depressive mood best fits persistent depressive disorder.