DYSTHYMIA

A milder form of depression less commonly talked about is called dysthymia. Dysthymia is less impairing than major depression, however, the symptoms are often more chronic. Those with dysthymia feel unhappy or overburdened and success in life becomes difficult to achieve. Dysthymia has a lifetime prevalence of 6%, occurs more frequently in females and is more common in first - degree relatives. The symptoms of dysthymia are listed in Table 1.

To make the diagnosis of dysthymia, two or more of the above symptoms must co - occur with a depressed mood for most of the day most days, over a two - year period, thus in dysthymia mood is chronically low. Symptoms fluctuate in intensity, 75% report co-occurring illnesses i.e., depression, an anxiety disorder, substance abuse and a personality disorder. The most prevalent anxiety disorder is generalised anxiety disorder. Other anxiety disorders commonly suffered include panic disorder and social anxiety disorder. Medical conditions often co-occur including fibromyalgia, migraine, non-organic headaches and gastrointestinal complaints. Dysthymia often begins in adolescence or early adulthood. For some, the illness mutates into major depression, at which time the condition is described as double depression. Those who suffer with dysthymia feel inadequate, useless and tend to self-blame or blame others for their distress.