What are the mood conditions marked by chronic low mood only classified as?

Chronic low mood is a defining characteristic of primary depressive disorder, which includes conditions such as major depressive disorder. Individuals experiencing this disorder often find themselves in a persistent state of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in daily activities, lasting for an extended period. This distinguishes it from conditions that may involve periods of elevated mood, like mania or hypomania, which are not present in chronic low mood scenarios.

While cyclothymia involves fluctuating mood states that include periods of mild depression and hypomanic episodes, it does not solely signify a chronic low mood. Similarly, unipolar disorder is a broader term that generally encompasses mood disorders that do not include manic episodes; however, the classification of primary depressive disorder more accurately emphasizes the focus on the chronic low mood experienced by the individual. Therefore, identifying these conditions as primary depressive disorders conveys the specific nature of the mood disturbance without the inclusion of manic or hypomanic episodes.