Persistent Mood Disorders (F34)
DSM-5-TR: Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) / Cyclothymic Disorder
ICD-10-AM and DSM-5-TR may classify conditions differently. Refer to APA and WHO for complete diagnostic criteria.
Key Facts
ICD-10 Range
F30-F39
Subcodes
4 subcodes
Australian Prevalence
Frequently encountered in Australian general practice but often underdiagnosed due to chronic, low-grade nature. Dysthymia prevalence estimated at 3-6%.
Global Prevalence
Dysthymia lifetime prevalence approximately 3-6%. Cyclothymia estimated at 0.4-1%.
Duration Requirement
At least two years of persistent mood disturbance
Overview
Persistent mood disorders are chronic fluctuations of mood that are not sufficiently severe or prolonged enough to fulfil criteria for manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes. They persist for years and sometimes for the greater part of a person's adult life, causing considerable distress and disability.
Diagnostic Criteria (ICD-10)
Core Features
- Persistent instability or depression of mood lasting at least two years
- Mood fluctuations not severe enough to meet criteria for manic, hypomanic, or depressive episodes
- Considerable subjective distress and functional impairment
- Intervening periods of normal mood rarely last longer than a few weeks
Duration
At least two years of persistent mood disturbance
Severity Specifiers
Exclusion Criteria
- Episodes meeting criteria for mania, hypomania, or major depression (use F30-F33)
- Bipolar affective disorder (use F31)
ICD-10-AM Subcodes
| Code | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F34.0 | Cyclothymia | |
| F34.1 | Dysthymia | |
| F34.8 | Other persistent mood disorders | |
| F34.9 | Persistent mood disorder, unspecified |
Classification Boundaries
Includes
- Cyclothymic personality
- Depressive personality
- Dysthymia
- Cyclothymia
Excludes1 (coded elsewhere)
- Bipolar affective disorder (F31)
- Recurrent depressive disorder (F33)
Australian Clinical Context
Persistent mood disorders are frequently encountered in Australian general practice but may be underdiagnosed due to their chronic, low-grade nature. Management typically involves psychological therapy (particularly CBT and interpersonal therapy) with or without antidepressant medication. Better Access MBS items apply for psychological treatment.
Medicare (MBS) Pathways
Better Access to Mental Health Care
The primary Medicare pathway for mental health treatment in Australia. Requires a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan (MHTP) referral. Available for any clinically diagnosed mental disorder.
| Provider Type | MBS Items | Session Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Psychologist | 80000–80025 | Psychological therapy (higher rebate) |
| Registered Psychologist | 80100–80123 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Occupational Therapist | 80125–80145 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Social Worker | 80150–80175 | Focused psychological strategies |
| Psychiatrist | 291, 296–299, 300–308 | Psychiatric consultation |
Clinical Psychologist
Registered Psychologist
Occupational Therapist
Social Worker
GP referral items: 2700, 2701, 2715, 2717
Eligibility: Any clinically diagnosed mental disorder as defined by WHO ICD-10 Chapter V. Requires a GP or psychiatrist referral.
Exclusions:
- Intellectual disability (use Complex Neurodevelopmental Disorder pathway or specialist referral)
- Dementia and organic mental disorders (use specialist referral pathway)
- Tobacco use disorder
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Reference information sourced from MBS Online (mbsonline.gov.au). Item availability, rebates, and eligibility criteria may change. This is not billing advice — always verify current items before claiming. Last verified: April 2026.
Clinical Documentation Notes
Dysthymia (F34.1) maps to Persistent Depressive Disorder in DSM-5-TR. Diagnosis requires at least two years of persistent depressive symptoms. "Double depression" (dysthymia with superimposed major depressive episodes) should be coded with both F34.1 and the appropriate F32/F33 code.
Related Assessment Tools
Related Clinical Calculators
Other validated instruments commonly used alongside the Persistent Mood Disorders (F34).
PHQ-9
Depression
A 9-item screening tool for depression severity based on DSM-IV criteria
CalculateDASS-21
Stress
A 21-item self-report measure of depression, anxiety, and stress with three 7-item subscales
CalculateCORE-10
Clinical Outcomes
A 10-item measure of psychological distress for monitoring clinical outcomes in therapy
CalculateSend all of these bundled to your client
One link, multiple assessments completed in sequence — auto-scored back to you.
Related Diagnostic Codes
ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes commonly associated with the Persistent Mood Disorders (F34).
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- World Health Organization. ICD-10-AM.
- American Psychiatric Association. DSM-5-TR. 2022.
- RANZCP. Clinical Practice Guidelines for Mood Disorders.
Clinical Scoring Calculator — Not a Diagnostic Tool
This tool calculates scores based on published guidelines for professional reference. It does not provide clinical diagnoses. Scores are provided as reference information only and should be interpreted by a qualified practitioner in the context of a comprehensive assessment.
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