Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymia is a chronicedepression where a person's moods are regularly low. The  symptoms of Dysthymia are not as severe asmajor depression.

The cause of dysthymia isunknown. It usually runs in families and is thought to be genetic. Dysth occursmore often in women than in men.

Many people with dysthymia have ahistory of an extended  medical problemor another mental health disorder, such as anxiety or substance abuse some  people with dysthymia will also have anepisode of major depression at some point in their lives.

The main symptom of dysthymia isa low, or sad mood on most days. In children and adolescents, the mood can beirritable instead of depressed.

 Other symptoms can be present almost all of the time: are feelings ofhopelessness; too little or too much sleep ; low energy or fatigue; poor self-esteem or reduced appetite or overeating troublewith concentration. People with dysthymia will often take a negative or view ofthemselves, their future, other people, and life events.

Treatment for dysthymia includesantidepressant drug therapy, along with  psychotherapy. Medications often do not workas well for dysthymia as they do for major depression.  

People with dysthymia often benefitfrom psychotherapy.  Psychotherapy is agood place to talk about feelings and thoughts, and to learn ways to deal withthem.  People can learn to be more awareof their symptoms, learn what seems to make depression worse, and learnproblem-solving skills.

Dysthymia is a chronic conditionthat lasts many years. Though some people completely recover, others continueto have some symptoms, even with treatment.

Although it is not as severe asmajor depression, dysthymia symptoms can affect a person's ability to functionin their family, and at work.