Which term describes a form of depression that is not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder?

Which term describes a form of depression that is not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder?

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

Answer: (A)

Chronic, less severe depressive symptoms that endure over a long period describe persistent depressive disorder. This condition involves a depressed mood most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years in adults (one year in children/adolescents), along with two or more related symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, sleep problems, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, or feelings of hopelessness. The key idea is the combination of relatively mild intensity with lasting duration, which distinguishes it from a major depressive episode. Major depressive disorder requires a major depressive episode—a more intense cluster of symptoms present for at least two weeks and causing clear impairment. Cyclothymia involves fluctuations between mild depressive and hypomanic symptoms in the bipolar spectrum, not a steady, chronic depressive state. Bipolar disorder includes distinct manic or hypomanic episodes in addition to depressive periods, not just prolonged mild depression. So, the form of depression not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder is persistent depressive disorder.

Chronic, less severe depressive symptoms that endure over a long period describe persistent depressive disorder. This condition involves a depressed mood most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years in adults (one year in children/adolescents), along with two or more related symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, sleep problems, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration, or feelings of hopelessness. The key idea is the combination of relatively mild intensity with lasting duration, which distinguishes it from a major depressive episode.

Major depressive disorder requires a major depressive episode—a more intense cluster of symptoms present for at least two weeks and causing clear impairment. Cyclothymia involves fluctuations between mild depressive and hypomanic symptoms in the bipolar spectrum, not a steady, chronic depressive state. Bipolar disorder includes distinct manic or hypomanic episodes in addition to depressive periods, not just prolonged mild depression.

So, the form of depression not severe enough to be diagnosed as major depressive disorder is persistent depressive disorder.