What is the most important characteristic used to distinguish dysthymia from major depression?
A) The length of time the person has had the symptoms.
B) How severe the symptoms are.
C) Whether there are occasional brief periods of normal moods during the disorder.
D) The types of symptoms the person has.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most important characteristic used to distinguish dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) from major depression is whether there are occasional brief periods of normal moods during the disorder. Dysthymia is a chronic, milder form of depression where a person experiences depressed mood most of the time over a period of at least two years, but they may also experience periods of normal mood that do not occur in major depression. In major depression, the person experiences significant symptoms of depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, and other symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks.

What Is the Most Important Characteristic Used to Distinguish Dysthymia