A client is admitted to the mental healthcare facility with complaints of feeling depressed and irritated, and having vague physical complaints

The healthcare provider suspects a case of dysthymia and instructs the nurse to take the client's case history. The symptoms should be present for what duration in order to diagnose dysthymia? A) Less than 6 weeks
B) At least 3 months
C) More than 6 months
D) At least 2 years


D
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For depression symptoms to be classified as dysthymia, the client should have had a depressed mood for most of the day, most days for at least 2 years. The client subjectively describes this state, which may be observed by others. The presence of a depressed mood for less than 6 weeks, at least 3 months, or more than 6 months does not confirm the diagnosis of dysthymia.

Nursing

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