In order to differentiate this disorder from other depressive disorders, one has to follow certain features to establish a relationship between the depressive mood with a specific substance;

Criterion A: The cause of the depressive mood is caused by specific physiological mechanisms of the substance. This can be interpreted as drug abuse, or being exposed to a toxin. In other words, establishing causality.

Criterion B: Much like determining covariance, one has to establish that the depressed mood is developed together with the drug effects such as intoxication, withdrawal, or exposure to withdrawal. Furthermore, this criterion also needs to be fulfilled;

• Criterion B1 states that the substance in question is physiologically capable of producing depression.
• Criterion B2 states that the depressive mood is not bettered explained by anything else than the specific substance

Criterion C: The Depressive symptoms must be persistent after the cessation of drug consumption and its acute withdrawal or intoxication for a substantial period of time.

Criterion D: The diagnosis should not be made when symptoms occur exclusively during the course of delirium.

Criterion E: The substance in question causes clinically significant impairment that qualifies for a depression diagnosis.