A patient reporting several days of depressive symptoms requires what timeframe for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder?

To diagnose major depressive disorder (MDD), the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition) specifies that a patient must experience depressive symptoms for at least two consecutive weeks. During this time, the symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and include depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, along with several other possible symptoms, such as changes in weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, or difficulty concentrating.

This specific timeframe of two weeks is critical because it establishes the persistence of symptoms, indicating that the depressive episode is not just a temporary response to a specific stressor or circumstance. Understanding this duration is essential for distinguishing major depressive disorder from other mood disturbances or temporary depressive symptoms that may not meet the threshold for a formal diagnosis.

Other options like a month or six months do not align with the diagnostic criteria for MDD, as they represent longer timescales that would not be applicable for an initial diagnosis. A consecutive week may be too brief to ensure the consistency and severity required for MDD. Therefore, the requirement of at least two consecutive weeks is key for establishing this diagnosis properly.