Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) as defined in DSM-5 requires a minimum duration of depressed mood for:

• A 2 years in adults, 1 year in children/adolescents ✓
• B 1 year in adults, 2 years in children
• C 6 months in adults, 1 year in children
• D 2 years in all age groups

Explanation

DSM-5 Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia) requires depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not, for at least 2 years in adults and at least 1 year in children/adolescents. During these periods, the person must not have been symptom-free for more than 2 consecutive months. This age-differentiated duration criterion distinguishes it from major depressive disorder (2-week minimum). The disorder combines the old DSM-IV categories of dysthymic disorder and chronic major depressive disorder.

Reference: Kaplan & Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.