Depressive Disorders

Question 0

What are the main criteria for persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)?

Answer 0

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
Presence will depressed of at least 2 symptoms: poor appetite or overeating; insomnia or hypersomnia; low energy or fatigue; low self-esteem; poor concentration or difficulty making decisions; feelings of hopelessness
During the 2 year period person has not been without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time
Criteria for MDD may be continuously present for 2 years
There has never been a manic or hypomanic episode

Question 1

What are the main criteria for major depressive disorder?

Answer 1

5 or more symptoms present for the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning (at least 1 of the symptoms is from the 1st 2): depressed mood most of the day nearly everyday; markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities most of the day nearly everyday; significant weight loss or gain or decrease or increase in appetite nearly everyday; fatigue or loss of energy nearly everyday; feelings of worthless or inappropriate guilt; diminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness; recurrent thoughts of dying
The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment

Question 2

What are the main diagnostic criteria for premenstrual dysphoric disorder?

Answer 2

In the majority of menstrual cycles, at least 5 symptoms must be present in the final week before menses, start to improve within a few days after onset and become minimal or absent in the week post menses.
1 or more of: affective lability; irritability or anger; depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness; anxiety
1 or more: decreased interest in usual activities; difficulty concentrating; fatigue or lack of energy; hypersomnia or insomnia; sense of being overwhelmed or out of control; physical symptoms
Symptoms associated with clinically significant distress or interference
Not merely an exacerbation of another disorder