What Is Dysthymic Disorder / Dysthymia?

According to the official US definition as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, Dysthymic Disorder - also called Dysthymia - is "characterized by at least 2 years of depressed mood for more days than not, accompanied by additional depressive symptoms that do not meet criteria for a Major Depressive Episode."

Thus, to put it in simple terms, dysthymia is:

• a chronic (long-term) depression
• not severe enough to cause hospitalization or trigger suicidal thoughts or attempts
• that affects a person more than 50% of the time
• for more than two years.

See also: Dysthymia