Problem:
The most recent DSM 5 TR classifies mood disorders into two basic groups: depressive disorders and bipolar-related disorders. Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder, which used to be called Dysthymic Disorder, are two common diagnoses for people with depressive illnesses. Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by one or more depressed episodes lasting a minimum of two weeks, during which symptoms such as profound sadness, anhedonia, sleep disturbances, exhaustion, and impaired concentration considerably hinder everyday functioning (Cui et al., 2024). For instance, a college student with Major Depressive Disorder may abruptly cease attending courses, lose interest in hobbies, and find it challenging to fulfill routine obligations due to the symptoms becoming strong and overpowering (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
In contrast, Persistent Depressive Disorder is a long lasting and more chronic form of depression. The symptoms are usually less severe than a major depressive episode but continue for at least two years in adults and create a constant low mood. A person with this condition may still work or attend school but often feels consistently tired, pessimistic, and lacking motivation for years (Koshikawa et al., 2023). For example, someone might say they have felt down and unmotivated most of their life even though they continue functioning day to day. This shows that Major Depressive Disorder is usually more severe and episodic, while Persistent Depressive Disorder is milder but long term and ongoing (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Need Assignment Help?
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.). American Psychiatric Association.
Cui, L., Yang, G., Ren, J., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., & Li, Y. (2024). Major depressive disorder: Hypothesis, mechanism, prevention and treatment. Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy, 9(1).
Koshikawa, Y., Kudo, S., & Otsuka, K. (2023). Characteristics of persistent depression in the long term and predictors of persistent depressive disorder. Heliyon, 9(11).
I believe you did a good job providing examples of the mental disorders and how they may manifest in real-life scenarios. You mention how a person with PDD may experience depressive symptoms but may still be able to function, while a person with MDD may have episodic symptoms. I believe that this distinction is important to address, as just because a person can function does not mean their condition should be taken lightly.
While working with older adults, I have observed that many of them experience symptoms similar to PDD, but often refuse to seek help because they feel it is a "normal" part of aging. However, providing education about the importance of mental health is essential in encouraging them to seek support and improving their well-being.
What is a good follow up response/question to the above comment on my original discussion post? Include in text citations and proper references.