Which disorder is used when there is marked impairment due to depressive features but does not meet full criteria for any existing diagnosis?

The chosen answer, Other Specified Depressive Disorder, serves as a diagnosis for situations where an individual experiences significant depressive symptoms that lead to marked impairment in their daily functioning but does not fulfill the full criteria for any specific depressive disorder outlined in the DSM-5-TR. This diagnosis allows clinicians to recognize and document that an individual is experiencing considerable challenges related to depression, even when their symptoms do not fit neatly into predefined categories such as Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder. It acknowledges that the symptoms are clinically significant and warrant attention, thereby providing a tailored approach to treatment.

In contrast, the other options do not fit this context. Selective Mutism relates to anxiety and is characterized by an inability to speak in specific social situations despite speaking in other situations, which is distinct from depressive features. Panic Disorder involves recurrent panic attacks and anxiety related to them, not primarily characterized by depressive symptoms. Lastly, Anxiety Disorders encompass a range of disorders primarily marked by excessive fear or anxiety rather than depressive symptoms. Therefore, Other Specified Depressive Disorder is specifically designed to capture the nuances of depressive experiences that do not meet full criteria for established disorders, thus affirming its correctness in this scenario.