Is two weeks the optimum duration criterion for major depression?

Authors

  • Jules Angst Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland
  • Michael P. Hengartner Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland
  • Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland
  • Wulf Rössler Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland

Keywords:

Major depressive episodes, Diagnostic criteria, Minimum duration, Validity

Abstract

Introduction: A clinically useful diagnostic classification should identify most patients who are treated. To our surprise, DSM-IV criteria for major depressive episodes (MDE) detected fewer than 50% of a community sample (the Zurich study) who had received treatment for depression.1 Treated subjects often experience episodes lasting under 2 weeks, or with fewer symptoms than required for a DSM diagnosis.

Methods: Our paper focuses on the validity and clinical relevance of the length of depressive syndromes, defined by the presence of 5 or more of 9 diagnostic symptoms (DSM-IV).

Results: We found depressive syndromes lasting under 2 weeks to be highly prevalent, and those lasting 4+ days to have equal validity (family history, age of onset, course) and treatment rates to episodes of 2-4 weeks.

Conclusions: The 2-week criterion for MDE would appear questionable. Our results need confirmation by larger epidemiological studies.

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Published

2014-01-01

How to Cite

Angst, Jules, et al. “Is Two Weeks the Optimum Duration Criterion for Major Depression?”. Actas Españolas De Psiquiatría, vol. 42, no. 1, Jan. 2014, pp. 18-27, https://actaspsiquiatria.es/index.php/actas/article/view/141.

Issue

Vol. 42 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Original