Dysthymia

Dysthymia 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

• 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
  

Symptoms

• 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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