For at least the last two years,Sara has been experiencing mild depression which alternates with periods of her being cheerful and expansive,but also irritable.These changes in her mood appear to be reactions to external events,and she has never experienced a psychotic episode.Sara would most likely be diagnosed with

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Sara's symptoms are consistent with cyclothymic disorder, which involves alternating periods of mild depression and hypomania (cheerful and expansive mood), without ever reaching a full manic or depressive episode. The symptoms are also reactive to external events and not severe enough to meet the criteria for major depressive disorder or bipolar I disorder. Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression that lasts for at least 2 years, but Sara's symptoms alternate between depression and hypomania.

For at Least the Last Two Years,Sara Has Been Experiencing