The description 'depressed mood or loss of interest lasting for at least two weeks' corresponds to which mood episode?

• A. Manic episode
• B. Major depressive episode
• C. Panic Attack
• D. Hypomanic episode

Answer: (B)

This describes the threshold for a major depressive episode. In mood disorders, having either a depressed mood or a loss of interest (anhedonia) for at least two weeks is the key criterion that signals a major depressive episode when accompanied by additional symptoms such as changes in sleep, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, concentration problems, appetite changes, psychomotor changes, or thoughts of death. The two-week duration is the minimum window to consider the episode clinically significant. The other options involve different mood states: manic and hypomanic episodes require elevated or expansive mood with increased energy, and panic attacks are sudden bursts of intense fear with physical symptoms, not mood episodes. So the given description best fits a major depressive episode.