Major Depressive Episode

1.

For a 2-week period, person displays an increase in depressed mood for the majority of each day and/or a decrease in enjoyment or interest across most activities for the majority of each day.

2.

For the same 2 weeks, person also experiences at least 3 or 4 of the following symptoms: • Considerable weight change or appetite change • Daily insomnia or hypersomnia • Daily agitation or decrease in motor activity • Daily fatigue or lethargy • Daily feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt • Daily reduction in concentration or decisiveness • Repeated focus on death or suicide, a suicide plan, or a suicide attempt.

3.

Significant distress or impairment.

Major Depressive Disorder

1.

Presence of a major depressive episode.

2.

No pattern of mania or hypomania.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

1.

Person experiences the symptoms of major or mild depression for at least 2 years.

2.

During the 2-year period, symptoms not absent for more than 2 months at a time.

3.

No history of mania or hypomania.

4.

Significant distress or impairment.

Information from: APA, 2013.