What is the minimum duration required for a diagnosis of depression?

The minimum duration required for a diagnosis of depression, specifically Major Depressive Disorder, is two weeks. This timeframe is critical as it establishes a window in which symptoms must be persistent and represent a change from previous functioning. During this two-week period, symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, and difficulty concentrating must be present most of the day, nearly every day.

Setting this minimum duration helps ensure that the diagnosis is not made based on transient feelings of sadness or temporary life challenges, which can sometimes mimic depressive symptoms but do not meet the threshold for a clinical diagnosis. Rather, the two-week criterion emphasizes that the individual has been experiencing significant distress or impairment in functioning, signifying a more serious mental health issue that may require intervention.