Dysthymia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Dysthymia

Alternative Names:

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

Treatment:

As with other forms of depression, there are a number of treatment options for people with dysthymia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like flouxetine (Prozac) are often used. Talk therapies, such as cognitive/behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy, have also been shown to be effective.

There is some evidence to suggest that the combination of both medication and psychotherapy treatments may yield the most improvement.

Expectations (prognosis):

By definition, dysthymia is a chronic condition lasting many years. Though some people completely recover, others continue to have some symptoms despite treatment. Maintenance medication and therapy may be required.

Complications:

Antidepressant drugs have a number of side effects that can complicate treatment. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may cause stomach upset, mild insomnia, and reduced sex drive. However, untreated dysthymia can progress into a major depressive episode, a phenomenon known as "double depression."

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you suffer from a persistently depressed mood.

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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