Objective: To investigate associations of the five early maladaptive schemas (EMS) domains with depression severity by comparing patients with persistent depressive disorder (PDD), patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), and controls with no psychiatric disorders. Methods: Patients with PDD (n = 30), patients with MDD (n = 24), and controls with no psychiatric disorders (n = 30) were recruited. Participants were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview 5.0 version (MINI), the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), and the Young Schema Questionnaire-3rd Edition Short Form (YSQ-S3). Results: The five EMS domains (YSQ-S3 score) significantly correlated with depression severity (BDI-II score), with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.583 to 0.788. After controlling for age, education, and sex, the two best predictors of depression severity were domains 'over-vigilance and inhibition' and 'disconnection and rejection'. For domains of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, and over-vigilance and inhibition, the total YSQ-S3 score was significantly higher in the PDD group than both the MDD and control groups. For the domain of impaired limits, the total YSQ-S3 score was significantly higher in both the PDD and MDD groups than the control group. Conclusion: All five EMS domains correlated significantly with depression severity. PDD and MDD differed in psychopathology. The EMS domains of disconnection and rejection, impaired autonomy and performance, and over-vigilance and inhibition may be specific risk factors for PDD.