If a person experiences depressed mood plus two other symptoms of depression for at least two years, and during the two years he or she has not been without depressive symptoms for more than two months, the person is most likely to be diagnosed with

A) postpartum depression.
B) persistent depressive disorder.
C) major depression.
D) seasonal affective disorder.

This pattern of persistent depressed mood with at least two other symptoms for at least two years is consistent with the diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia). Postpartum depression is a specific type of depression that occurs after childbirth. Major depression requires the presence of more severe symptoms and can occur over a shorter period of time (as little as 2 weeks). Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that is related to the changing seasons and is characterized by seasonal episodes of depression.