| We suggest diagnosing minor depressive episodes according to all of the following criteria (A through F). |
| A. Two to four of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period: |
- Dysphoria – Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Anhedonia – Markedly diminished interest or pleasure most of the day, nearly every day
- Significant appetite or weight change
- Insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation (observable by others)
- Anergia – Fatigue nearly every day
- Thoughts of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt nearly every day
- Impaired concentration or memory nearly every day
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempt
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| B. At least one of the symptoms includes dysphoria or anhedonia |
| C. The symptoms cause clinically significant distress of psychosocial impairment |
| D. The symptoms are not due to the physiologic effects of a substance, medication, or general medical condition |
| E. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) and cyclothymic disorder are not present |
| F. The mood disturbance does not occur exclusively during a psychotic disorder |
