Longitudinal is a term that is used to describe (or specify) the course of of some mood disorders. It describes whether or not someone fully recovers between different mood episodes.
Longitudinal course specifiers in the DSM[]
The DSM uses longitudinal course specifiers to describe the following mood disorders:
A person can experience either of the following:
- With full interepisode recovery - if full remission occurs between the last two mood episodes
- Without full interepisode recovery - if full remission does not occur between the last two mood episodes
The second specifier can be similar to double depression, when both major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder are present. It depends on which mood disorder occurred first. If dysthymic disorder was present and then major depressive disorder developed, it is referred to as double depression. If major depressive disorder was present which developed into dysthymic disorder, it is usually considered major depressive disorder in remission.
Mood disorders as diagnosed by the DSM edit |
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Mood episodes: Major depressive episode • Manic episode • Mixed episode • Hypomanic episode
Depressive disorders: Major depressive disorder • Dysthymic disorder • Depressive disorder NOS • (PMDD) Bipolar disorders: Bipolar I disorder • Bipolar II disorder • Cyclothymic disorder • Bipolar disorder NOS Other mood disorders: Mood disorder due to a general medical condition • Substance-induced mood disorder • Mood disorder NOS Episode specifiers: Severity • Psychotic • Remission • Chronic • Catatonic • Melancholic • Atypical • Postpartum Course specifiers: Longitudinal • Seasonal (SAD) • Rapid cycling |