Recurrent brief depression. A new concept of depression.

In an epidemiological cohort study from age 20 to 28, DSM-III criteria were used for the diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Many subjects met the criteria A (dysphoric mood or loss of interest or pleasure) and B (presence of at least four out of eight criteria) but the episodes were shorter than the minimum of two weeks. Within this group of Brief Depressive Episodes, a recurrent form can be characterized with at least monthly reoccurrence over one year. These subjects are defined as cases of Recurrent Brief Depression (RBD) if they also suffer from reduced capacity at work. No exclusion criteria are applied. In the present cohort, the prevalence and treatment rates of RBD are comparable to MDD.