What is the difference between major depression and dysthymia?

Major depression features severe acute symptoms lasting at least two weeks, whereas dysthymia is a chronic low-grade depression persisting for two or more years.

How is bipolar II disorder different from major depression?

Bipolar II involves episodes of hypomania alternating with depression, while major depression does not include manic or hypomanic phases.

Cyclothymia is a mood disorder with chronic fluctuations between mild hypomanic and depressive symptoms, often confused with emotional instability.

What does NOS mean in depressive disorders?

NOS stands for 'Not Otherwise Specified' and refers to depressive or bipolar presentations that do not meet full criteria for specific DSM diagnoses but are clinically relevant.

What is the most common depressive disorder?

Major depressive disorder is the most prevalent and disabling form of depression, followed by dysthymia and bipolar disorders in the general population.

Major Depressive Disorders: Complete Comparative Table

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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

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). American Psychiatric Publishing. 2013.
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Judd LL et al. Major depressive disorder: a prospective study of residual subthreshold depressive symptoms as predictor of rapid relapse. J Affect Disord. 50(2–3), 1998: 97–108.
Fava GA et al. Dysthymia and chronic depression: the role of subclinical symptoms and personality. J Affect Disord. 45(1), 1997: 65–75.
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Akiskal HS et al. Cyclothymic disorder: validation of criteria and temperament correlations. J Affect Disord. 33(1), 1995: 19–30.
Zimmerman M et al. Why the diagnosis of depression is often missed or delayed. Curr Psychiatry Rep. 4(6), 2002: 435–440.