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Summary Table of the Main Depressive Disorders

Disorder Description Duration and Course Clinical Features Distinctive Notes
Major Depressive Disorder Severe depressive episodes with marked functional impairment. At least 2 weeks; single or recurrent episodes. Depressed mood, anhedonia, insomnia/hypersomnia, appetite changes, suicidal ideation. Most studied and diagnosed form; often treated with medication and/or psychotherapy.
Dysthymic Disorder Chronic low-grade depression, persistent over time. At least 2 years (1 year in minors). Consistently low mood, low energy, low self-esteem. Insidious and prolonged course; often underdiagnosed.
Overview of Bipolar Disorders Category including various forms with alternating depressive and (hypo)manic phases. Cyclic, chronic, episodic course. Alternation between depression and hypomania/mania. High risk of chronicity and suicide; requires mood-stabilizing treatment.
Bipolar I Disorder At least one manic episode, often followed by depressive episodes. Recurrent, with inter-episode phases. Mania with euphoria, irritability, hyperactivity; often severe depressive episodes. Most severe and disabling form of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar II Disorder Alternation between depressive episodes and hypomanic phases (not full mania). Recurrent, often depression-predominant. Clinically significant depression; hypomania often underrecognized. Often misdiagnosed as major depression; harder to detect.
Cyclothymia Less intense, but continuous and persistent mood swings. At least 2 years of subclinical cyclic symptoms. Unstable mood, mild hypomania alternating with dysthymia. Milder form of bipolar disorder; variable functional impact.
Bipolar and Related Disorders, Unspecified Atypical bipolar presentations not fully meeting Bipolar I or II criteria. Variable; undefined pattern. Fluctuating mood phases; unstable affective traits. Residual diagnostic category; often used in exploratory or differential diagnosis.
Other Specified and Unspecified Depressive Disorders Clinically significant depression not fully classifiable within canonical categories. Variable; often reactive or situational. Partial or atypical depressive symptoms. Useful for identifying subthreshold or evolving forms.
    References
  1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.
  2. Kessler RC et al. The epidemiology of major depressive disorder: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R). JAMA. 289(23), 2003: 3095–3105.
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  8. Vieta E et al. Bipolar depression: a major unsolved challenge. CNS Neurosci Ther. 20(4), 2014: 253–261.
  9. Akiskal HS et al. Cyclothymic disorder: validation of criteria and temperament correlations. J Affect Disord. 33(1), 1995: 19–30.
  10. Zimmerman M et al. Why the diagnosis of depression is often missed or delayed. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 4(6), 2002: 435–440.