According to DSM 5, how long must depressive symptoms last to diagnose major depressive disorder?

To diagnose Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) according to the DSM-5 criteria, depressive symptoms must persist for at least two weeks. This duration is a key component of the diagnostic criteria and helps distinguish MDD from other mood disturbances that may not be as prolonged or severe.

The criteria specify that during this two-week period, the individual must experience either a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities, along with additional symptoms that can include changes in weight or appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide. The emphasis on a two-week duration serves to ensure that the symptoms are significant and persistent enough to affect the person's daily functioning and quality of life.

Additionally, the requirement of two weeks helps to rule out shorter episodes of sadness or grief which are common and may not signify a clinical disorder. This distinction is crucial to ensure appropriate diagnosis and treatment.