What duration must symptoms last for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Episode?

For a diagnosis of a Major Depressive Episode, symptoms must last for at least two weeks. This duration is crucial because it differentiates a Major Depressive Episode from transient mood disturbances and ensures that the individual is experiencing a significant and persistent change in their functioning. The two-week timeframe allows clinicians to assess whether the symptoms are chronic enough to warrant a diagnosis and treatment, rather than being a brief period of sadness or distress that might occur due to situational stressors. The criteria also emphasize that the symptoms must represent a change from previous functioning and include features like depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in appetite or sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and potentially thoughts of death or suicide. The emphasis on a two-week period helps in making accurate diagnoses and provides a standard timeframe that clinicians can rely upon during assessment.