Understanding Dysthymic Disorder: Symptoms, Causes & Identification

The primary symptom of dysthymic disorder is chronic depression. However, it is less severe than major depression. Dysthymic disorder consists of a depressed mood on a daily basis for at least two years. This is usually accompanied by low self-esteem, low energy and sleep disturbances. The following article will discuss how to identify dysthymic disorder.

Instructions

• 1

  Look for the symptoms to be present for at least two years when diagnosing dysthymic disorder. Be aware that the individual will be in a depressed mood for most days and will feel depressed more often than not.

• 2

  Determine if the chronic depression is accompanied by at least two of the following symptoms: change in appetite, low energy, change is sleep patterns, lack of focus and concentration, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness or difficulty with making decisions.

• 3

  Know that manic episodes cannot be present in order to diagnose dysthymic disorder.

• 4

  Major depressive episodes cannot have taken place during the first two years that symptoms were present. If they have, you do not have dysthymic disorder.