What is the minimum duration of chronic depressed mood for Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent Depressive Disorder, also known as dysthymia, is characterized by a sustained period of low mood that lasts for at least two years in adults (one year in children and adolescents). This minimum duration is crucial for the diagnosis, as it distinguishes persistent depressive symptoms from more transient mood disturbances that might occur in other depressive disorders.

The requirement for a minimum of two years underscores the chronic nature of this disorder, indicating that the individual has been experiencing significant depressive symptoms over an extended period. It is important to differentiate this from other mood disorders, such as Major Depressive Disorder, where the episodes may be shorter and can vary in length. The two-year timeframe does not allow for the symptoms to be absent for more than two months at a time during this period, which highlights the persistent aspect of the mood disturbance.