I don’t feel as though I have what could be considered severe depression, but in doing some reading, I’ve seen the term “dysthymia” used. What can you tell me about this as it relates to depression?

Dysthymia (the Greek roots of the word mean “bad state of mind” or “ill humor”) is a disorder with similar but longer-lasting and milder symptoms than clinical depression. By the standard psychiatric definition, this disorder lasts for at least two years, but is less disabling than major depression. For example, persons with this diagnosis are usually able to go on working and do not need to be hospitalized. About 3% of the population will suffer from dysthymia at some time - a rate slightly lower than the rate of major depression. Like major depression, dysthymia occurs twice as often in women as it does in men. It is also more common among the poor and the unmarried. Symptoms usually appear in adolescence or young adulthood, but in some cases do not emerge until middle age. Warning signs of dysthymia can include:

·        Poor school/work performance

·        Social withdrawal

·        Shyness

·        Irritable hostility

·        Conflicts with family and friends

·        Physiological abnormalities

·        Sleep irregularities

·        Parents with major depression 

“Talk therapy” with a licensed therapist, counselor or psychologist may be enough to treat the condition. This approach to treatment can take the form of psychotherapy or cognitive therapy, which can assist persons to alter self-defeating thoughts. Behavioral therapy can help people learn a more “positive approach” to life and to communicate better with friends, family and co-workers. If medication is indicated, a referral to a psychiatrist (a medical doctor who specializes in mental health) would be in order. Tricyclic antidepressants, the standard treatment for major depression, may be useful for dysthymia. In many cases, the symptoms are hard to recognize and classify. If a person’s main complaints are physical in nature, he/she might be seeing a primary care physician who might not be able to recognize the complaints as symptomatic of a mental health condition. Many people with dysthymia do not think of themselves as depressed, and are relieved to be told they have a treatable illness. Unfortunately, mental health professionals are usually consulted only when major depression develops. Early detection and treatment is crucial, since the longer a depression lasts, the slower the recovery. 

Education Department
Mental Health Association of Greater St. Louis
314-773-1399

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