Which of the following is a requirement for major depressive disorder (MDD)?

For a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), symptoms must be present for a duration of at least two weeks, which aligns with the diagnostic criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). This duration is critical because it helps differentiate MDD from other conditions that may involve transient or situational feelings of sadness or depression.

Symptoms must be pervasive, affecting daily functioning and quality of life, and the 14-day requirement ensures that the depressive episode is not an isolated occurrence but part of a more enduring pattern consistent with MDD. This timeframe allows clinicians to assess whether the symptoms are severe enough and persistent enough to warrant a diagnosis of MDD rather than a shorter-lived depressive episode.

The other choices either suggest insufficient duration, relate to symptom intensity compared to other depressive disorders, or restrict the occurrence of symptoms to a specific age group, none of which align with the accepted criteria for diagnosing major depressive disorder.