Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder Diagnosis & DSM-5 Criteria 2

Question 1

What minimum duration of depressed mood is required for a PDD diagnosis in children and adolescents per DSM-5?

Accepted Answer

1 year

Answer

For children and adolescents, DSM-5 requires at least 1 year of depressed or irritable mood for PDD.

Question 2

In children and adolescents, which mood presentation is specifically allowed as an alternative to depressed mood in PDD?

Accepted Answer

Irritable mood

Answer

DSM-5 allows irritable mood as an alternative to depressed mood in children and adolescents with PDD.

Question 3

Which diagnostic exclusion applies when evaluating PDD — the symptoms must NOT be better explained by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Substance use or medical condition

Answer

DSM-5 requires ruling out substance use or a general medical condition as the cause of PDD symptoms.

Question 4

Which condition is considered when both PDD and a Major Depressive Episode coexist, historically called 'double depression'?

Accepted Answer

PDD with intermittent major depressive episodes

Answer

When MDE occurs on top of PDD, DSM-5 documents this with the specifier 'with intermittent major depressive episodes, with current episode.'

Question 5

Which DSM-5 specifier indicates that the current PDD episode began before age 21?

Accepted Answer

With early onset

Answer

DSM-5 uses the specifier 'with early onset' when PDD begins before age 21.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Practice Test