Background Most individuals with depressed mood report mood fluctuations (Mood
Instability) within hours or days. This is not recognized in diagnostic criteria or standard
rating scales for depression. Hypothesis That mood instability is a distinct component of the
development of depression that has been omitted from criteria for depression because of
reliance on retrospective recall and structured interviews. The inclusion of Mood Instability
would enhance research into causes and treatment of depression. Studies We examined …