4-2 Comments: Diagnosis of Dysthymia, Major Depressive Episode

4-2 Comments
Your Name
December 8, 2016
Your Institution of Affiliation
Kathryn Brook
I do agree with your diagnosis of Dysthymia as the most probable cause of Jack’s problems. Major Depressive episodes usually do not last for as long as four years, like in Jack’s case CITATION Ame13 \l 1033 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). At the same time, the absence of any manic and hypomanic makes this diagnosis more likely CITATION Dzi \l 1033 (Dzieglelewski, 2015). As we already know, this presence of less severe but chronic episodes of depression makes him least qualified for having an MDD or a Major Depressive Episode.
Kathryn Tiffani
I liked the emphasis that you placed in the importance of checking his medication. While it is apparent that Dysthymia is the most likely cause of his disorder, because it already persisted for more than two years CITATION psynd \l 1033 (psychiatryonline.org, n.d.). I also believe that the medications might have an adverse effects to his conditions. By checking the effects of his medications, I believe that we can further create a better differential diagnosis.
Elyssa Rookey
Without Jack’s history, I would also think that this is a case of a Major Depressive Episode since many symptoms have been present such as “depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, weight loss, sleep disturbances (mostly insomnia) and a diminished ability to concentrate or make decisions” CITATION Cla14 \l 1033 (Clarke & Kuhl, 2014). However, because of the persistence of his depression for almost 4 years, I also believe that this is much likely a ...