Compare and contrast Major Depressive Disorder with Persistent Depressive Disorder. Describe how you would approach this assessment. Include a discussion of contrast between the DSM-5 criteria and how it can help you to distinguish between these two conditions. Be sure to include ethical/legal considerations in your response.

Compare and contrast MDD with PDD

Both major and persistent depressive disorders are mental health disorders that are marked by symptoms such as feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, and lack of productivity. Also, both conditions are severe to the extent that they impair people’s daily life and relationships.

Even though these conditions have some similarities, they vary in their severity of symptoms, symptom duration, and diagnosis criteria. For instance, people can only be diagnosed with MDD if they experience symptoms almost every day within two weeks. However, to be diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), individuals must experience symptoms for at least two years. Additionally, PDD is milder, while MDD is a more severe form of depression, making it difficult for people to get out of bed, perform basic hygiene, and eat. Lastly, the symptoms of MDD last for a long time, even though depressive episodes come and go. However, PDD symptoms are usually brief and limited, so people with this condition may feel normal between depressive episodes.

Describe how you would approach this assessment.

I would approach the assessment of major depressive disorder by examining symptoms such as having less interest in most activities, fatigue, feeling guilt, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and frequent thoughts of death. Additionally, I would assess persistent depressive disorder by conducting a physical examination and lab tests. It can also be assessed by analyzing PDD symptoms such as irritability, poor appetite or overeating, insomnia, low self-esteem, a feeling of hopelessness, and trouble concentrating.

The DSM-5 diagnosis of PDD includes feeling moody for most days than not for at least two years. Also, the presence of at least two symptoms such as poor appetite or overeating, insomnia, low energy or fatigue. Furthermore, low self-esteem, difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. APA