Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum duration of depressed mood required to diagnose Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) in adults according to DSM-5?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
Correct answer: 2 years
DSM-5 requires depressed mood present for at least 2 years in adults for a diagnosis of PDD.
Question 2: Which term describes the condition when a major depressive episode occurs superimposed on Persistent Depressive Disorder?
- Bipolar II disorder
- Double depression (Correct answer)
- Cyclothymic disorder
- Mixed episode
Correct answer: Double depression
Double depression refers to a major depressive episode occurring on top of an existing dysthymic/PDD baseline.
Question 3: In children and adolescents, the DSM-5 minimum duration for PDD diagnosis differs from adults — what is it?
- 6 months
- 1 year (Correct answer)
- 2 years
- 3 years
Correct answer: 1 year
In children and adolescents, DSM-5 requires at least 1 year of depressed or irritable mood for PDD diagnosis.
Question 4: Which symptom is NOT listed among the DSM-5 criteria for Persistent Depressive Disorder?
- Low self-esteem
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Recurrent thoughts of death (Correct answer)
- Poor concentration
Correct answer: Recurrent thoughts of death
Recurrent thoughts of death are a criterion for Major Depressive Disorder but not among the six DSM-5 PDD criteria.
Question 5: What percentage of individuals with PDD are estimated to eventually experience a major depressive episode?
- 10–20%
- 25–35%
- 75–90% (Correct answer)
- 50–60%
Correct answer: 75–90%
Studies suggest that approximately 75–90% of people with PDD will develop a major depressive episode over their lifetime.
Question 6: Which psychotherapy has the strongest evidence base specifically for Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)?
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) (Correct answer)
- Supportive therapy
- Dialectical behavior therapy
Correct answer: Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP)
CBASP was specifically developed for chronic depression and PDD, and has the most robust evidence base for this condition.
Question 7: How does PDD differ from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in terms of symptom severity?
- PDD is always more severe than MDD
- PDD typically has fewer and less intense symptoms but longer duration (Correct answer)
- PDD and MDD have identical symptom severity
- PDD requires psychotic features while MDD does not
Correct answer: PDD typically has fewer and less intense symptoms but longer duration
PDD is characterized by milder but more chronic symptoms compared to the more intense but episodic presentation of MDD.
Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder 2
What is the minimum duration of depressed mood required to diagnose Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) in adults according to DSM-5?