Quick Quiz: Name that Depressive Disorder

How well do you know the depressive disorders chapter of the DSM? The diagnoses there show up in life and in social work practice pretty regularly, so you may as well expect to encounter them on the social work licensing exam. Here's a quick quiz to see if you've got them understood. Your job: Name that depressive disorder.

1. Severe recurrent temper outbursts inconsistent with developmental level, three or more times per week, with irritability or anger throughout the day, nearly every day.

2. Depressive mood, irritability, affective lability, and/or marked anxiety connected with the onset of menses, which start to improve within a few days after the onset of menses, and become minimal or absent in the week postmenses.

3. Depressed mood, diminished interest in pleasure, and other symptoms occurring for two weeks or more.

4. Depressed mood for more days than not for at least two years.

Know the answers?

We left out Substance/Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder, Depressive Disorder Due to Another Medical Condition, Other Specified Depressive Disorder, and Unspecified Depressive Disorder, if that helps narrow it down.

Answers are below--scroll down, when you're ready.

The mini-DSM (aka the Desk Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from the DSM) is a great way to quickly get all of these details learned. The big DSM has far more information that you'll see show up on ASWB exam questions.

For realistic, exam-style questions about DSM diagnoses and lots more, try full-length practice exams like those from SWTP.

Good luck on the exam!





















1. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

2. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

3. Major Depressive Disorder

4. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)