Which of the following is a characteristic of episodes in Major Depressive Disorder?

In Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), a defining characteristic of the depressive episodes is the occurrence of these episodes without any presence of manic, mixed, or hypomanic episodes. This distinction is crucial because it differentiates MDD from bipolar disorder, where manic or hypomanic episodes are present. The absence of manic symptoms is what makes MDD a unipolar mood disorder, focusing solely on the depressive aspects without the fluctuations into elevated or manic states.

The other options do not accurately describe the characteristics of MDD. The first choice, which refers to a history of manic episodes, relates to bipolar disorders rather than Major Depressive Disorder. The third choice suggests that MDD only affects adult males, which is incorrect; MDD can affect individuals of any gender and at various ages. Lastly, stating a complete absence of sadness is inaccurate, as persistent feelings of sadness or a depressed mood are hallmark symptoms of MDD. Therefore, the identifying characteristic clearly lies in episodes occurring without manic or similar episodes, making option B the correct selection.