What is the difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder?

This video describes differences between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. These two disorders often get confused with one another. Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder are often comorbid. Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by major depressive episodes, which tend to run in cycles. Persistent Depressive Disorder is characterized by specific symptom criteria being present more days than not for two years. The specific symptom criteria are not identical for Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder. Both disorders have a variety of specifiers. If an individual has both disorders, they are not coded separately. Major Depressive Disorder would be a specifier of Persistent Depressive Disorder. The prognosis and the treatment for both disorders is similar.