General Information About Dysthymia
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the experience of a chronic, mild to moderate state of depression that lasts for years, present for most of the day, on more days than not.
Major depression is more severe and occurs in episodes; it can render a person unable to get out of bed. Dysthymia, however, presents with milder symptoms but lasts much longer, and the individual continues to perform daily tasks, albeit reluctantly.
Persistent fatigue, lack of energy, pessimism, disturbances in sleep and appetite patterns, low self-esteem, and an inability to find pleasure in anything (anhedonia).
An imbalance of chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine, genetic predisposition, chronic stress, childhood traumas, or long-term physical illnesses can trigger dysthymia.
In a clinical interview conducted by a psychiatrist, the diagnosis is made by evaluating whether depressive symptoms have continued uninterrupted for at least two years in adults, and at least one year in children and adolescents.
Antidepressant medications are effective for regulating mood. However, the most lasting results are achieved when they are combined with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (psychotherapy), which aims to alter the person's cognitive distortions and pessimistic schemas.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
