Major Depressive Episodes are common in bipolar I but are not required for diagnosis. What abbreviation is used for these episodes?

• A. MDEs
• B. MDE
• C. Major Depressive Episode
• D. Mood Disorder Episodes

Answer: (A)

When discussing depressive experiences in bipolar I, the shorthand used is MDEs. MDE stands for Major Depressive Episode, but the plural form MDEs is preferred here because we’re talking about multiple episodes that can occur over the course of the illness. In clinical writing and DSM literature, you’ll often see MDEs used to describe the depressive episodes that can accompany bipolar I, even though a single MDE could be described as MDE. The other options don’t fit the context: MDE is the singular form, Major Depressive Episode is not abbreviated, and Mood Disorder Episodes isn’t standard terminology.