title: [Is two weeks the optimum duration criterion for major depression?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A clinically useful diagnostic classification should identify most patients who are treated. To our surprise, DSM-IV criteria for major depressive episodes (MDE) detected fewer than 50% of a community sample (the Zurich study) who had received treatment for depression.1 Treated subjects often experience episodes lasting under 2 weeks, or with fewer symptoms than required for a DSM diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our paper focuses on the validity and clinical relevance of the length of depressive syndromes, defined by the presence of 5 or more of 9 diagnostic symptoms (DSM-IV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found depressive syndromes lasting under 2 weeks to be highly prevalent, and those lasting 4+ days to have equal validity (family history, age of onset, course) and treatment rates to episodes of 2-4 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2-week criterion for MDE would appear questionable. Our results need confirmation by larger epidemiological studies.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland.
authors: Jules
authors: J
authors: Angst
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland.
authors: Michael P
authors: MP
authors: Hengartner
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland.
authors: Vladeta
authors: V
authors: Ajdacic-Gross
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich. Switzerland.
authors: Wulf
authors: W
authors: Roessler
mesh_terms: D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult