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$Unique_ID{BRK03687}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Dysthymia}
$Subject{Dysthymia Depressive Neurosis Depression Mild Major Depression}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1990 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
760:
Dysthymia
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Dysthymia) is not the
name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the alternate
names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Depressive Neurosis
Depression, Mild
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Major Depression
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Dysthymia is a common psychological disorder characterized by a chronic
but mild depressive state that has been present in an individual for more
than two years. When the depressive state has lasted for several years, it
may be difficult to distinguish between a person's usual functioning and the
mood disturbance. Dysthymia is a chronic mood disturbance which is
classified as a form of neurosis. It must be distinguished from Major
Depression Disorders.
Symptoms
Dysthymia usually begins with an easily recognizable onset, and is followed
by depression (or irritability in children or adolescents). During this
period of depressed mood, there may be poor appetite or overeating, an
inability to sleep (insomnia) or oversleeping (hypersomnia), low energy or
fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration, difficulty making decisions and
feelings of hopelessness.
In order for an individual to be diagnosed as having Dysthymia, the
depression must have lasted for a two-year period (one year in children),
with periods of relief lasting no more than two months. The diagnosis of
Dysthymia is made after an organic problem or prolonged use of medications
(e.g., antihypertensives, recreational drugs, etc.), have been ruled out.
Individuals with Dysthymia usually have some problems in social and
occupational functioning due to the length of the depression rather than the
severity. Hospitalization is rarely required unless there is a suicide
attempt or an accompanying severe depression. There may also be problems with
drug or alcohol abuse.
In children and adolescents, relationships with peers and adults may be
affected. Depressed children may react negatively or shyly to praise, and
school performance may also be adversely affected.
Causes
Dysthymia may occur as a consequence of other mental disorders such as
anorexia nervosa, the presence of physical symptoms with no physiological
cause (somatization disorder), alcohol or drug dependence, anxiety disorder
or chronic disabilities that cause a severe change in life style (i.e.,
rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.). In children and
adolescents, predisposing factors may include a hyperactive disorder, a
conduct disorder, mental retardation, a severe developmental disorder, or an
inadequate, disorganized, rejecting and chaotic living environment.
Dysthymia may also occur without a preexisting condition. (For more
information, choose "Anorexia Nervosa" as your search term in the Rare
Disease Database.)
Affected Population
Dysthymia occurs in both males and females. In adults, the disorder is more
common in females than in males, while in children it appears to occur
equally in both sexes. Dysthymia is more common in biological relatives of
people with major depression than among the general population. Age of onset
is most commonly under 21 years of age.
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Dysthymia.
Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Major Depression is a mood disorder characterized by severe depression
with loss of interest or pleasure in all or nearly all activities for a
period of at least two weeks. Symptoms may include appetite disturbance,
change in weight, sleep disturbance, decreased energy, psychomotor agitation
or retardation, feelings of worthlessness, excessive or inappropriate guilt,
difficulty thinking or concentrating, recurrent thoughts of death and
suicidal thoughts or attempts. This diagnosis is made only after it cannot
be established that a physiological factor initiated and maintained the
disturbance.
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Dysthymia is psychological counseling with or without
antidepressant drugs. In some patients heterocyclic drugs like desipramine
followed by lithium carbonate may be helpful.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through July
1990. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every
entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please
check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current
information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Dysthymia, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
Manic/Depressive Association
P.O. Box 753
Northbrook, IL 60062
(312) 446-9009
National Mental Health Association
1021 Prince St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
1901 N. Fort Meyer Dr., Suite 500
Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 524-7600
National Mental Health Consumer Self-Help Clearinghouse
311 S. Juniper St., Rm. 902
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-2481
NIH/National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20205
(301) 443-4515 or (301) 496-1752
(800) 421-4211 (24 hrs.)
References
DIAGNOSTIC AND STATISTICAL MANUAL OF MENTAL DISORDERS, 3d.: R.L. Spitzer,
et al., eds; American Psychiatric Association, 1984. Pp. 230-233.
THE MERCK MANUAL, Volume 1, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D., ed.-in-chief;
Merck Sharp & Dohme Laboratories, 1982. Pp. 1514, 1531.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF DYSTHYMIA IN FIVE COMMUNITIES: RATES, RISKS,
COMORBIDITY, AND TREATMENT. M.M. Weissman et al.; AM J PSYCHIATRY (July,
1988; Issue 145(7)). Pp. 815-819.
THE EARLY-LATE ONSET DISTINCTION IN DSM-III-R DYSTHYMIA. D.N. Klein et
al.; J AFFECTIVE DISORD (January-February, 1988; issue 14(1)), Pp. 25-33.