Persistent Depressive Disorder Test
Explore an evidence-based screening tool to help diagnose persistent depressive disorder among clients.
Fact Checked by RJ Gumban.
What is a persistent depressive disorder?
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymic disorder or chronic depression, is a long-lasting form of depression characterized by a depressed mood that persists for most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years (1 year for children and adolescents) (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Unlike major depressive disorder, which involves severe and distinct episodes of mild or moderate depression, PDD is a chronic, ongoing condition with milder but more persistent symptoms.
Early diagnosis and treatment of PDD are crucial, as the condition can have a significant impact on an individual's well-being and can increase the risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders or substance abuse disorders.
Symptoms
PDD or dysthymia symptoms can include the following:
- low self-esteem
- poor appetite or overeating is also manifested in weight gain
- trouble sleeping characterized by insomnia or hypersomnia
- low energy or fatigue
- trouble concentrating or difficulty making decisions
- feelings of hopelessness
These symptoms, while not as severe as those of major depressive disorder, can significantly impair an individual's ability to function in daily life and can lead to difficulties in personal relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
How does it differ from major depressive disorder?
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are both forms of depression, but they differ in several key ways:
- Duration: PDD involves chronic, persistent depressed mood lasting at least two years (1 year for children/adolescents), while MDD involves distinct episodes of severe depression.
- Severity: Symptoms in PDD are milder but more persistent, while symptoms in MDD are more severe and disabling.
- Course: PDD is a chronic condition without remission periods, while MDD has episodic periods of remission.
- Symptom presentation: PDD may involve "double depression" with episodes of major depression, while MDD involves distinct episodes.
- Treatment: Both may involve psychotherapy and antidepressants, but treatment plans may differ based on severity and duration.
Printable Persistent Depressive Disorder Test
Download this Persistent Depressive Disorder Test for healthcare professionals to diagnose PDD, such as structured clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, and rating scales.
Diagnosing persistent depressive disorder
To diagnose depression and a potential PDD condition, a healthcare professional must take a comprehensive evaluation, typically a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker. This process commonly involves the following measures:
Clinical interviews
The initial step in diagnosing PDD often involves a detailed clinical interview, during which the healthcare practitioner gathers information on the patient's medical and psychiatric history and the duration and impact of depression symptoms and physical symptoms.
Differential diagnosis
Differential diagnosis is crucial in distinguishing PDD from other mood disorders and mental health conditions with similar presentations. For instance, PDD must be differentiated from MDD in terms of the duration and severity of symptoms. Distinguishing PDD from bipolar disorder is essential due to the presence of hypomanic or manic episodes in the latter.
Attention must also be given to ruling out another mood disorder, such as seasonal affective disorder or mood disorder due to substances or medical conditions that might mimic depressive symptoms.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5)
The DSM-5 provides specific criteria for diagnosing major depressive disorders, including PDD, which healthcare practitioners rely on:
- A depressed mood for most of the day, more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others, for at least two years.
- Presence of two (or more) of the following symptoms when feeling depressed:some text
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Low energy or fatigue
- Low self-esteem
- Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
- Feelings of hopelessness
- During the two-year period (one year for children and adolescents), the person has never been without the symptoms for more than two months at a time.
- Criteria for a major depressive episode may be continuously present for two years.
- There has never been a manic episode or a hypomanic episode, and the criteria for cyclothymia have never been met.
- The disturbance is not better explained by another mental disorder, substance use, or a medical condition.
- The symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
Assessment tools
Healthcare professionals may use various assessment tools to diagnose PDD, such as structured clinical interviews, self-report questionnaires, and rating scales. These tools can help identify the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and assess their impact on daily functioning.
Longitudinal observation
Given the chronic nature of PDD, healthcare professionals may need to observe and monitor the individual's symptoms over an extended period to ensure that the diagnostic criteria are met consistently.
How to use this template
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use the Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) test:
Step 1: Introduction and instructions
Before administering the test, briefly introduce the patient, explaining that the test is designed to evaluate the presence and severity of persistent depressive symptoms. Communicate the test's purpose and ensure the patient understands the process.
Step 2: Administer the test
Our PDD Test consists of a series of questions or rating scales that assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms over an extended period, usually two years or more. During this step, ask the patient to respond to each question or item honestly and to the best of their ability.
Step 3: Scoring and interpretation
Once the test is completed, follow the scoring instructions provided by the test manual or the specific assessment tool you use. This may involve assigning numerical values to the patient's responses, calculating a total score, or determining the presence of particular symptom clusters.
Interpret the test results based on the provided guidelines or cut-off scores. The interpretation should consider the duration and severity of the depressive symptoms and their impact on the patient's daily functioning.
Step 4: Plan the next steps
Based on the test results and your clinical judgment, develop a treatment plan or make appropriate recommendations for the patient. This may involve referral to a primary healthcare provider or a mental health provider, initiation of proper treatment, and monitoring and follow-up.
Persistent Depressive Disorder Test example (sample)
The following Persistent Depressive Disorder Test is based on Rush et al.'s (2003) 16-item quick inventory of depressive symptomatology, which was modified with Brinkman et al.'s (2019) psychometric evaluation of a screening question for persistent depressive disorder. These are used to assess the presence and severity of clients' symptoms.
If this is helpful for your practice, feel free to check out a filled-out sample online by clicking on the link below. You can also download this as a PDF.
Download this free Persistent Depressive Disorder Test example here:
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Results and interpretation
The 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), modified with a screening question for PDD, is a valuable tool for assessing the presence and severity of depressive symptoms, as well as identifying individuals who may meet the criteria for PDD.
The 16-item QIDS assesses the severity of depressive symptoms, with each item scored on a scale from 0 to 3. The total score ranges from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms (Rush et al., 2003).
The PDD screening question, added by Brinkman et al. (2019), asks: "In the past two years, have you suffered from depressed mood most days, even if you felt okay sometimes?" A positive response to this question, combined with a QIDS score of 6 or higher, suggests the potential presence of PDD.
The interpretation of the QIDS scores is as follows:
- Scores of 0-5: No depression
- Scores of 6-10: Mild depression
- Scores of 11-15: Moderate depression
- Scores of 16-20: Severe depression
- Scores of 21 or higher: Very severe depression
Suppose the patient scores 6 or higher on the QIDS and responds positively to the PDD screening question. In that case, further evaluation is recommended to determine if the individual meets the full diagnostic criteria for PDD, as outlined in the DSM-5.
Why use Carepatron as your mental health software?
Carepatron is a comprehensive mental health practice management software designed to simplify and streamline how you deliver mental health services. Here are only some of the many reasons why it could be an excellent choice for your practice:
- Efficient practice management: With a wide range of integrated tools, Carepatron facilitates efficient practice management. These tools include patient registration, scheduling, billing, telehealth functionality, document management, and case note creation, all in one place.
- Secure and confidential: We adopt rigorous safety measures in alignment with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to ensure maximum protection for patient data.
- User-friendly interface: Carepatron has a user-friendly interface that simplifies navigation. Our software offers a short learning curve as it is designed for healthcare providers to use intuitively and easily.
- Integrated teletherapy: The integrated teletherapy feature allows providers to conduct virtual sessions seamlessly. This functionality is especially critical for reaching patients in remote areas, those with mobility issues, or during times when in-person sessions aren't possible.
- Centralized patient records: Our centralized electronic patient records system improves information accessibility. This allows you to access clients' complete health records efficiently.
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References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC.
Brinkmann, E., Glanert, S., Hüppe, M., Moncada Garay, A. S., Tschepe, S., Schweiger, U., & Klein, J. P. (2019). Psychometric evaluation of a screening question for persistent depressive disorder. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2100-0
Rush, A. John., Trivedi, M. H., Ibrahim, H. M., Carmody, T. J., Arnow, B., Klein, D. N., Markowitz, J. C., Ninan, P. T., Kornstein, S., Manber, R., Thase, M. E., Kocsis, J. H., & Keller, M. B. (2003). The 16-Item quick inventory of depressive symptomatology (QIDS), clinician rating (QIDS-C), and self-report (QIDS-SR): a psychometric evaluation in patients with chronic major depression. Biological Psychiatry, 54(5), 573–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0006-3223(02)01866-8
Commonly asked questions
Risk factors for PDD include a family history of depressive disorders, experiencing traumatic life events, having other mental health conditions like anxiety disorders or substance abuse, and psychological factors like negative affectivity. Early childhood adversity and low socioeconomic status are also potential risk factors.
PDD is a chronic, long-lasting depressive condition. By definition, individuals must experience a depressed mood most days for at least two years in adults or one year in children/adolescents to meet the diagnostic criteria. For many, PDD can potentially last for several years without adequate treatment.
If dysthymia is left untreated, it can significantly impair one's quality of life and ability to function in daily activities. Untreated PDD increases the risk of developing other mental health issues like anxiety disorders or substance abuse problems. It can strain personal relationships, negatively impact work/school performance, and lead to social isolation.
