DIAGNOSTIC DURATION GUIDE
REVISION QUIZ N ANSWERS GRADED
A+ FOR 2026
PSYCHIATRIC NURSING EXAM CRACKER
DSM-5 HIGH-YIELD DIAGNOSTIC DURATION GUIDE
PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS
Disorder Required Duration
Brief Psychotic Disorder More than 1 day and less than 1 month
Schizophreniform Disorder 1–6 months
Schizophrenia At least 6 months
Schizoaffective Disorder At least 1 month of psychotic symptoms without mood symptoms
Delusional Disorder At least 1 month
DEPRESSIVE DISORDERS
Disorder Required Duration
Major Depressive Episode At least 2 weeks
Major Depressive Disorder At least 2 weeks (Major Depressive Episode criteria met)
Persistent Depressive Disorder
2+ years (1 year in children/adolescents)
(Dysthymia)
, Disorder Required Duration
Premenstrual Dysphoric
Symptoms occur during the final week before menses
Disorder
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation 12 months, symptoms present without a break longer than 3
Disorder (DMDD) months, temper outbursts 3+ times/week
Memory Trick for DMDD
12 – 3 – 3
• 12 months duration
• No break > 3 months
• Outbursts ≥ 3 times/week
BIPOLAR & RELATED DISORDERS
Disorder Required Duration
Manic Episode At least 1 week
Hypomanic
At least 4 days
Episode
Bipolar I
At least 1 manic episode (1 week)
Disorder
Bipolar II
Hypomania ≥ 4 days + Major Depression ≥ 2 weeks
Disorder
Cyclothymic Symptoms present ≥ 2 years (1 year if <18 years); symptoms present at least
Disorder half the time and absent for < 2 months at a time
Memory Trick for Cyclothymia
1/2 – 2 – 2
• SymptomsFpresentFatFleastFhalfFtheFtimeF
• DurationF2FyearsF