Dysthymia

What is Dysthymia?


insomniaDysthymia was first introduced into the group of affective disorders in the DSM-III classification in 1980. It overlaps substantially with major depression. But dysthymia is a chronic depressive disorder with milder symptoms.

The chronic features of dysthymia vary in severity, and most sufferers will develop supervening comorbid major depressive episodes (sometimes termed 'double depression').


Criteria of Dysthymia

  • At least 2 years of constant or constantly recurring depressed mood

  • Intervening periods of normal mood rarely last for longer than a few weeks; no episodes of hypomania

  • None, or very few, of the individual episodes of depression within the 2-year
    period should be sufficiently severe or long-lasting to meet the criteria for
    recurrent mild depressive disorder

  • During at least some of the periods of depression, at least three of the symptoms listed below should be present

I have dysthymia. I've most likely had it all my life. It goes in cycles. Sometimes I'm stable, sometimes I feel lethargic and practically suicidal. I live a normal life, I take antidepressants, I act fine, I guess I am fine, but it's like this cloud following me. Hanging over me. It's very rare that it gets to the point where I actually want to die, but in general it sucks. I just want it to go away. I'm only a teenager.Anonymous, Internet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depression Symptoms of Dysthymia

  • Reduced energy or activity

  • Insomnia

  • Loss of self-confidence and feelings of inadequacy

  • Difficulty in concentrating

  • Frequent tearfulness

  • Loss of interest in or enjoyment of sex and other pleasurable activities

  • Feeling of hopelessness or despair

  • A perceived inability to cope with the routine responsibilities of everyday life

  • Pessimism about the future or brooding over the past

  • Social withdrawal

  • Reduced talkativeness

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