Category Archives: Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymic disorder (or Dysthymia) is defined by the DSM as a person having a depressed mood (can be irritable in children) for most of the day, for more days than not by their own account or observed by others, for at least 2 years (1 year for children)

and may also have the following symptoms (at least 2 or more):

■poor appetite or overeating
■insomnia or hypersomnia
■low energy or fatigue
■low self-esteem
■poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
■feelings of hopelessness
To meet clinical standards these symptoms also must cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

The condition is also not caused or explained by the following:

■Due to effects of drugs or medication
■Due to a medical condition
■Better explained as Cyclothymic disorder
This diagnosis is not used if the person has had any of the following:

■Major depressive episode – see Major depressive disorder instead
■Manic episode – see Bipolar I disorder instead
■Mixed episode – see Bipolar I disorder instead
■Hypomanic episode – see Bipolar II disorder instead
■Psychosis – see Psychotic disorders instead

Dysthymic disorder is often described as the symptoms of low grade depression and a general lack of enjoyment of life. Someone with both dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder is said to have double depression.