Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): What is it?

A Quick Guide

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), formerly known as chronic major depressive disorder, is defined by persistent depression symptoms that last at least two years. These symptoms include a chronic low mood, fluctuations in sleep and appetite, and difficulties in daily functioning. Getting assistance from a mental health expert is crucial if you suspect PDD in order to receive the proper diagnosis and treatment.

What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) was previously known as chronic major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder. It can simply be described as prolonged depression. People suffering from PDD may have depressed mood along with its associated symptoms most of the days for at least two years. Since depressive symptoms are a part of their life, they may often report that they have always been this way. Although they experience intervals that are free of depressive symptoms, these are not more than two months.

Signs of Persistent Depressive Disorder

The individual with this disorder may have the following symptoms:

• Depressed mood most of the days either reported by the person or observed by others for at least 2 years. In the case of children and adolescents, the mood may be irritable or low for 1 year.

At least 2 of the following symptoms may also be present:

• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Increase or decrease in sleep
• Experiencing fatigue or loss of energy
• Feeling worthless (Low self-esteem)
• Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions most of the day almost every day. Either the person reports it or others observe it in him/her.
• Feeling hopeless and not looking forward to the future.
• Such individuals have all major depressive disorder symptoms continuously for 2 years.

Their symptoms cannot be explained by a medical condition, a mood disorder, or the use of substances. Furthermore, it causes them distress and affects their daily functioning, social life, and academic, and work performance.

Some individuals may also exhibit the following:

• Symptoms of anxiety
• Atypical depressive symptoms
• Melancholic depressive symptoms
• Psychotic symptoms
• Postpartum depressive symptoms

The onset of persistent depressive disorder

Symptoms of this disorder may begin early in life and gradually build up to its chronic course. Usually, the chances of its occurrence are in childhood, adolescence, or early adult life. People who develop such symptoms before the age of 21 are more likely to also have personality issues or problematic use of substances.

Risk factors for persistent depressive disorder

The following factors increase the likelihood of a person developing persistent depressive disorder:

• Presence of high neuroticism as a personality trait
• Having severe symptoms
• Poor global functioning
• Experiencing comorbid conditions of anxiety disorders or conduct disorders
• Losing a parent or experiencing the separation of parents in childhood
• Having a mental illness in the family
• Possible structural or functional abnormalities in the brain.

We hope the above article was helpful for you in understanding Dysthymia depression. To find out more about depression, check out the related articles.