What is a common symptom of persistent depressive disorder?

Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is characterized by a chronic form of depression that lasts for an extended period. The defining feature of this disorder is that the individual experiences a depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years in adults and one year in children and adolescents. This long duration of symptoms is critical in distinguishing persistent depressive disorder from other types of depression, which may have more episodic or short-term characteristics.

The other options do not align with the diagnostic criteria for persistent depressive disorder. Occasional episodes of mania pertain to bipolar disorder rather than a persistent depressive state. Consistent symptoms for at least one week would not meet the criteria for chronic illness; this timeframe is too short for the diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder. Lastly, while severe symptoms lasting for more than one month can occur in depressive episodes, persistent depressive disorder specifically requires a longer duration of symptoms, highlighting the chronic nature of this mental health condition.