Which condition is an example of a chronic mood disorder?

Cyclothymic disorder is indeed an example of a chronic mood disorder. This condition is characterized by chronic fluctuating mood disturbances involving numerous periods of hypomanic symptoms and periods of depressive symptoms that are not severe enough to meet the criteria for a major depressive episode. The persistence of these fluctuating symptoms for a prolonged period—often lasting for at least two years (one year in children and adolescents)—highlights the chronic nature of the disorder.

In contrast, major depressive disorder is typically episodic, with individuals experiencing severe depressive episodes that can vary in duration but are not constant. Pathological grief reaction, while it can cause significant distress, is a response to a specific stressor (the death of a loved one) and does not constitute a chronic mood disorder in the same light as cyclothymic disorder. Seasonal affective disorder is categorized as a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year, usually during the winter months, and also tends to be episodic rather than chronic.

This context emphasizes why cyclothymic disorder fits the definition of a chronic mood disorder, showcasing the importance of duration and symptom patterns in understanding mood disorders.