Dysthymia is characterized by depressive symptoms present most of the day for two years or more in adults and for one year or more in children and adolescents. In children diagnosed with this illness, irritability as opposed to depression may be present. Dysthymia is different from major depressive disorder because of the chronic, long term nature of the illness and because there are fewer depressive symptoms (two or three) than in major depressive disorder (four or more symptoms). Often people suffering from dysthymia have experienced depressive symptoms like hopelessness, poor concentration, sleep disturbances and low motivation for years, but have never been diagnosed with depression; for some the symptoms begin to feel like a chronic state of being. People with dysthymia may appear outwardly to be coping well enough, but seem very unhappy most, if not all, of the time.

During the course of two successive years, if depressive symptoms have gone on without a break of more than two months, a diagnosis of dysthymia may be given. It is also common for dysthymia to turn into a major depressive episode. During this time a person may be dually diagnosed with major depressive disorder and dysthymia; when the major depressive episode is over, and if depressive symptoms are still present, the person reverts back to the diagnosis of dysthymia.

Information on dysthymia indicates that people suffering from the disorder experience less severe symptoms than if they were diagnosed with major depression. For sufferers of this disorder the reality of one’s symptoms make this illness seem just as hard to manage as any other. All the symptoms of depression can be associated with dysthymia. Symptoms such as appetite and sleep disturbances, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, irritability, and even thoughts of suicide (suicidal ideation) may be present with both disorders; with people suffering from dysthymia these symptoms may have lasted for many years. People with dysthymia are more prone to developing a major depressive disorder, and, as in all cases of mental illness, a substance abuse disorder. Children diagnosed with dysthymia are more prone to later diagnoses of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), conduct, anxiety and learning disorders .

Dysthymia is a treatable illness, and the same medications used to treat major depressive disorder are used to treat dysthymia. For people suffering with dysthymia, long-term use of medications may be indicated.

For more information on this or any other mental illness please contact us, by phone, 604.873.0103 or email, info@mdabc.net