What is dysthymia?

Dysthymia is a low grade chronic depression, formerly viewed as a character trait that was difficult to treat, but is now known to be responsive to antidepressant pharmacotherapy. It is being depressed most days, for most of the day, for at least two years and not without symptoms for more than two months at a time.

The DSM-IV defined dysthymia in adult requires at least two of the following:
*Poor appetite or overeating
*Insomnia or hyper-insomnia
*Low energy or fatique
*Low self esteem
*Poor concentration
*Feelings of hopelessness

The symptoms are required to cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning and not to be cause by the direct physiological effects of a substance.

Dysthymia is more common in women less than 65 years of age, unmarried person, and young persons with low income.

In children and adolescent, dysthymia may be characterized by irritability (instead of sadness) and has to persist only for at least one year.
What is dysthymia?