Running head: Psychopathology
Psychopathology D.B.
Jessica Horton
Moorpark College
Department of Nursing
NS3 Part 2
Dalila Sankaran, R.N., M.S.N.
November 5, 2008
Client’s Multi-Axial Evaluation (per client’s medical chart)
Axis 1: Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent, Severe With Psychotic Features
Axis II: Antisocial Personality Disorder
Axis III: Deferred
Axis IV: Legal System
Axis V: GAF 32
Diagnostic Criteria
According to the American Psychiatric Association (2000) the diagnostic criteria that must be met for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent are as follows:
A. Presence of two or more Major Depressive Episodes. Note: To be considered separate episodes, there must be an interval of at least 2 consecutive months in which criteria are not met for a Major Depressive Episode.
B. The Major Depressive Episodes are not better accounted for by Schizoaffective Disorder and are not superimposed on Schizophrenia, Schizophreniform Disorder, Delusional Disorder, or Psychotic Disorder Not Otherwise Specified.
C. There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed Episode, or a
Hypomanic Episode. Note: This exclusion does not apply if all of the manic-like, mixed-like, or hypomanic-like episodes are substance or treatment induced or are due to the direct physiological effects of a general medical condition. (pg 376)
When all the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, Recurrent are met the current clinical status or features must be specified further which include, mild, moderate, severe without psychotic features, severe with psychotic features, chronic, with catatonic features, with melancholic features, or with postpartum onset.
To meet the first criteria for a Major Depressive Episode, five or more of the following have to be present during a two week period, be a change from previous behaviors and at least one has to be a depressed mood or loss of pleasure. The patient must have five of the following nine...