Which statement accurately describes DSM-5-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder?

• A. Requires only one symptom.
• B. Must include psychotic features.
• C. Duration must be 2 months.
• D. At least five symptoms present most days during a 2-week period, including depressed mood or anhedonia, plus changes in sleep, appetite, psychomotor activity, energy, concentration, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, or suicidal thoughts; significant distress or impairment; not better explained by another condition.

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that Major Depressive Disorder is diagnosed when a person experiences a cluster of symptoms for a sustained period that causes clear distress or impairment, with a specific minimum threshold. In DSM-5-TR, you need at least five symptoms occurring during the same two-week period, and one of those symptoms must be depressed mood or anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure). The other symptoms can include changes in sleep, appetite or weight, psychomotor activity, energy, concentration, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. The symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and must not be better explained by another medical condition or by the effects of a substance. This combination—two weeks, five or more symptoms with depressed mood or anhedonia, clinically significant distress or impairment, and exclusion of other causes—is why this statement is the best description of DSM-5-TR criteria for Major Depressive Disorder.