Depression is a medical condition with emotional, behavioural/cognitive, and physical symptoms. It can have a dramatic impact on your health and well-being. Learn more about depression symptoms, how depression is diagnosed, and what treatment options are available.
Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a mood or affective disorder. It is a chronic, mild depression that lasts for a long period of time (at least 2 years). The word dysthymia comes from Greek roots meaning "ill-humour." Persistent depressive disorder has less of the mental and physical symptoms that a person with major depressive disorder experiences.
The condition usually starts in early adulthood, and the disorder can last for years or even decades. Later onset is usually associated with bereavement or obvious stress, and often follows on the heels of a more extreme depressive episode. Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from persistent depressive disorder, in a similar ratio to that seen with major depression.
In the past, persistent depressive disorder had several other names: dysthymia, depressive neurosis, neurotic depression, depressive personality disorder, and persistent anxiety depression.
Causes of Dysthymic Disorder
The exact cause of persistent depressive disorder is not known, but a combination of factors are thought to play a role in its development. Heredity (genetics) can play a role, and people with family members who have depression are more likely to develop persistent depressive disorder, especially when it starts early in life (teens to early 20s).
Changes in neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain may also precipitate persistent depressive disorder. Chronic stress or medical illness, social isolation, and thoughts and perceptions about the world, can all influence the development of persistent depressive disorder. Other mental health conditions (e.g., borderline personality disorder) can also increase the risk of its development.
Symptoms and Complications of Dysthymic Disorder
Signs that a person may be suffering from persistent depressive disorder include:
depressed mood for prolonged periods
low self-esteem
low energy, tiredness
sleep irregularities
changes in appetite
poor concentration
hopelessness
The severity of these symptoms varies and depends on the individual. Some people can still deal with the basic demands of life, while others undergo significant distress, making it difficult to cope with work, school, or social situations.