major depressive episode.
With intermittent major depressive episodes, without current episode: Full crite-
ria for a major depressive episode are not currently met, but there has been one or
more major depressive episodes in at least the preceding 2 years.
Specify current severity:
Mild (p. 188)
Moderate  (p. 188)
Severe (p. 188)
Diagnostic Features
The essential feature of persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) is a depressed mood
that occurs for most of the day, for more days th an not, for at least 2 ye ars, or at least 1 year
for children and adolescents (Criterion A). Th is disorder represents a consolidation of
DSM-IV-defined chronic major depressive di sorder and dysthymic disorder. Major de-
pression may precede persistent depressive disorder, and major de pressive episodes may
occur during persistent depressive disorder. Individuals whose symptoms meet major de-
pressive disorder criter ia for 2 years should be given a diagnosis of persistent depressive
disorder as well as majo r depressive disorder.
Individuals with persistent depressive diso rder describe their mood as sad or “down
in the dumps.” During periods of depressed mood, at least two of the six symptoms from
Criterion B are present. Because these sympto ms have become a part of the individual’s
day-to-day experience, particular ly in the case of early onse t (e.g., “I’ve always been this