Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to DSM-5, during a 2-year period of PDD an adult must not be without symptoms for more than how long?
- 1 week
- 2 months (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- 1 month
Correct answer: 2 months
DSM-5 specifies that the person must not be free of symptoms for more than 2 consecutive months during the 2-year period.
Question 2: Which first-line pharmacological class is most commonly used to treat Persistent Depressive Disorder?
- Benzodiazepines
- Antipsychotics
- SSRIs and SNRIs (Correct answer)
- Mood stabilizers
Correct answer: SSRIs and SNRIs
SSRIs and SNRIs are considered first-line pharmacotherapy for PDD, with similar efficacy as in MDD.
Question 3: Which specifier can be applied to PDD when the full criteria for a major depressive episode are currently met?
- With anxious distress
- With persistent major depressive episode (Correct answer)
- With melancholic features
- With atypical features
Correct answer: With persistent major depressive episode
DSM-5 allows the specifier 'with persistent major depressive episode' when full MDE criteria have been met throughout the prior 2 years.
Question 4: PDD is associated with a higher prevalence of which comorbid condition compared to the general population?
- Hyperthyroidism
- Anxiety disorders (Correct answer)
- Parkinson's disease
- Diabetes insipidus
Correct answer: Anxiety disorders
Anxiety disorders are highly comorbid with PDD, occurring in a majority of affected individuals.
Question 5: The early-onset specifier for PDD is applied when symptoms begin before what age?
- 18 years
- 21 years (Correct answer)
- 25 years
- 30 years
Correct answer: 21 years
DSM-5 defines early onset as PDD beginning before age 21.
Question 6: Which medical condition must be ruled out as a direct cause before diagnosing PDD?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hypothyroidism (Correct answer)
- Psoriasis
- Migraine
Correct answer: Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can cause chronic depressive symptoms and must be excluded before diagnosing PDD.
Question 7: PDD is distinct from bereavement because PDD symptoms must not be better explained by what?
- Acute stress disorder
- A schizoaffective episode
- The normal grieving process or another mental disorder (Correct answer)
- Substance-induced mood changes only
Correct answer: The normal grieving process or another mental disorder
DSM-5 requires that the depressive symptoms are not better accounted for by another mental disorder or a normal grief reaction.
Persistent Depressive Disorder Persistent Depressive Disorder 3
According to DSM-5, during a 2-year period of PDD an adult must not be without symptoms for more than how long?