Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is defined by which criteria?

• A. At least 3 depressive symptoms endured for at least 2 years
• B. At least 5 depressive symptoms for 2 weeks
• C. Two depressive episodes within one year
• D. One depressive symptom for 3 years

Answer: (A)

Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is about a long-lasting, lower-intensity depression. The pattern is depressed mood most days for at least two years in adults (one year in kids), and during that time you must have at least two additional depressive symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. Putting those together means you have at least three depressive symptoms over a two-year period, which is the hallmark of dysthymia.

This differs from a major depressive episode, which requires five or more symptoms for at least two weeks and is typically more severe but shorter in duration. The other options either misstate the number of symptoms, the duration, or describe episodes rather than chronicity, so they don’t fit persistent depressive disorder as defined.