Dysthymia

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Dysthymia

Definition:

Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression, characterized by moods that are consistently low, but not as extreme as other types of depression.

Alternative Names:

Neurotic depression (dysthymia); Dysthymic disorder; Chronic depression; Depression - chronic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown. Although the symptoms are not as severe as those of other forms of depression, affected people struggle nearly every day with low self-esteem, despair, and hopelessness.

Like all forms of depression, dysthymia occurs more frequently in women than in men and affects up to 5% of the general population. Dysthymia can occur alone or in conjunction with more severe depression or other mood or psychiatric disorders.

Review Date: 12/9/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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