Answer:
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are two forms of depression. Both conditions can affect a person’s daily life.
PDD, formerly called dysthymic disorder, affects 1.5%Trusted Source of adults in the United States. Females are more likelyTrusted Source to have PDD than males.
MDD is one of the most common mental health disorders in the U.S., affecting 7.1%Trusted Source of adults in the country. It is also more likelyTrusted Source to develop in females than males.
A key difference involves the duration of symptoms. For a doctor to diagnose PDD in an adult, symptoms must have lasted for at least 2 yearsTrusted Source. Adults with MDD, meanwhile, experience what are called major depressive episodes that are separated by at least 2 monthsTrusted Source.
Below, learn more about the differences between major and persistent depressive disorders. We describe their symptoms, causes, treatment, and more.