differential

Differential: How do you distinguish MDD from Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)?

MDD: Requires 5+ symptoms for at least 2 weeks. PDD: Requires 2+ symptoms for at least 2 years (1 year for children). Key: PDD is lower-grade but much more chronic; MDD is more acute and severe.

Subtypes: What are the three clinical presentations/specifiers of Unipolar Depression?

1. Melancholic: Severe, biological markers, loss of pleasure in all activities. 2. Atypical: Earlier onset, more comorbidity, weight gain, and specific treatment response (MAOIs). 3. Chronic: Major depressive episode lasting at least 2 years without remitting.

Differential: What is the primary difference between Bipolar I and Bipolar II?

Bipolar I: Must have at least one full Manic Episode (1 week+, significant impairment/hospitalization). Bipolar II: Requires at least one Hypomanic Episode (4 days+, less severe) AND at least one Major Depressive Episode. Note: If psychosis occurs during the 'high,' it is automatically Bipolar I.

Differential: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) vs. Panic Disorder.

SAD: Anxiety is triggered by the fear of social scrutiny or negative evaluation. Panic Disorder: Anxiety is triggered by the fear of the physical sensations of a panic attack itself (fear of fear).

Differential: GAD vs. MDD (Comorbidity & Distinction).

GAD (Anxiety): Characterized by Physiological Hyperarousal and future-oriented worry. MDD (Distress): Characterized by Anhedonia and past-oriented rumination. Overlap: Both share 'General Distress' and Negative Affect.

Differential: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) vs. PTSD.

BPD: Can develop without a specific trauma; focuses on identity disturbance and abandonment fears. PTSD: Requires a specific Criterion A stressor; focuses on re-experiencing, avoidance, and arousal related to that stressor.

Subtypes: What are the three latent class subgroups of BPD?

1. Non-labile type: Lack of affective instability and low dissociation. 2. Dissociative/Paranoid type: High dissociation/paranoia, lower abandonment fears. 3. Interpersonally Unstable type: High abandonment fears and interpersonal aggression.

Differential: Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) vs. Psychopathy.

ASPD (DSM-5): Behavioral focus; requires a history of Conduct Disorder before age 15 and 3+ antisocial behaviors after age 18. Psychopathy: Focuses on affective/interpersonal traits (lack of empathy, glibness, shallow affect) as defined by Cleckley’s 16 or the PCL-R.

Subtypes: What are the three presentations of ADHD?

1. Predominantly Inattentive Presentation 2. Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation 3. Combined Presentation (most common).

Differential: OCD vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).

OCD: Egodystonic (symptoms are unwanted); involves true obsessions and ritualized compulsions. OCPD: Egosyntonic (person sees behavior as correct); involves a pervasive pattern of perfectionism, rigidity, and reluctance to delegate without rituals.

Differential: Schizophrenia vs. Schizoaffective Disorder.

Schizophrenia: Mood symptoms are brief relative to the total duration of the illness. Schizoaffective: Mood symptoms are present for a majority of the illness, but delusions/hallucinations must occur for at least 2 weeks in the absence of a mood episode.

Subtypes: What are the differences between Positive, Negative, and Disorganized symptoms of Schizophrenia?

1. Positive: Excesses (Delusions, Hallucinations). 2. Negative: Deficits (Alogia, Flat Affect, Avolition, Anhedonia). 3. Disorganized: Formal thought disorder, bizarre behavior.

Differential: Anorexia Nervosa (AN) vs. Bulimia Nervosa (BN).

AN: Defined by significantly low body weight; restriction of energy intake is the primary symptom. BN: Weight is typically within or above the normal range; involves cycles of binge eating and compensatory behaviors.

Subtypes: What are the two types of Anorexia Nervosa?

1. Restricting Type: Weight loss via dieting, fasting, or excessive exercise; no binging/purging in the last 3 months. 2. Binge-Eating/Purging Type: Regular engagement in binge eating or purging (vomiting, laxatives) during the current episode.

Differential: Binge Eating Disorder (BED) vs. Bulimia Nervosa (BN).

BED: Binge eating episodes (loss of control) without the use of compensatory behaviors. BN: Binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviors (purging, exercise, restriction).