Chronic major depression can be diagnosed as a form of Major Depressive Disorder. This specifier applies to the current or most recent Major Depressive Episode in Major Depressive Disorder and to a Major Depressive Episode in Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder only if it is the most recent type of mood episode.
The full criteria for a Major Depressive Episode have been met continuously for at least the past 2 years in order for the “Chronic specifier” to be used.
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- Dysthymia: Chronic Depression
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- Coping with Chronic Illness
- What are the Risk Factors for Depression?
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- Other articles by American Psychiatric Association


