Persons with double depression who recover from major depressive episode are likely to return to being dysthymic, but ongoing dysthymia after a major depressive episode presents a high risk for relapse into major depression as well as portending a faster time to relapse.
Dysthymia is characterized by a down mood that is relatively mild quite persistence lasting for at least two years. During that period, symptoms tend to wax and wane.
At times, they may become intense and numerous enough to qualify as a full-blow episode of major depression superimposed on the dysthymia. Children and adolescents with double depression have more severe and longer major depressive episodes, a higher incidence of co-morbid disorders, increased suicidality, a more pronounced social impairment in contrast with children with single major depression.
About half of patients with double depression eventually recovered, after a median of 10 months, with a combination of mediation and psychotherapy.
Symptoms of double depression
