According to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual -V (APA, 2013, p.163), the most unique feature of Major Depressive Disorder is when a person experiences a diminished enthusiasm in a majority of activities they previously enjoyed or a depressed mood for a least two weeks. Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder tend to experience a combination of symptoms that leads to a substantial impairment in one or more areas of life which includes work and or school. The major symptoms linked with MDD includes; increase or decrease in weight when the individual is not on diet, or a decrease or increase in appetite, sleeping excessively or slight, feeling sad, hopeless, inappropriate guilt or helplessness, irritability, fascination …show more content…
On the other hand, Major Depressive Disorder can develop into schizophrenia when there is an incidence of psychotic features. On the other hand, there are some disorders that have related symptoms with Major Depressive Disorder such as; Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood. The vital factor to be considered is that the individual does not meet the criteria for MDD. With attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), individuals have problems staying focused as well as a low tolerance for frustration; which is the same as individuals experiencing MDD. However, in a situation where the person meets the criteria for both disorders, the clinician can make a diagnosis of MDD and ADHD. In addition, substance or medication induced depressive or bipolar disorder have various characteristics as MDD. This would not be considered Major Depressive Disorder; however, if it is evident that the depressive mood occurs during the withdrawal from a particular substance or in another substance/medication-related context (APA, 2013, …show more content…
Determination of this specific diagnosis as opposed to choosing MDD requires a careful examination of the occurrence of the presenting manic symptoms. Finally, Major Depressive Disorder shares symptoms consistent with a mood disorder due to another medical condition. If there is an absence of medical evidence such as; physical exam, or lab tests suggesting that a depressive mood is directly connected to a particular medical illness, a diagnosis of MDD can be made (APA, 2013, p.167-68). On the other hand, it is not rare for MDD to occur in conjunction with other mental health disorders such as; bulimia-nervosa disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, anorexia-nervosa disorder, substance related disorders and borderline personality disorder (APA, 2013,