Dysthymia

Epidemiology

Dysthymia has a point prevelance of 3% and a lifetime prevalence of 6%.

Females are 3x more likely affected than males.

Up to 75% of people with dysthymia will also develop a major depressive disorder within 5 years.

COmmon comorbidities include personality disorders (especially borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, avoidant, and dependent), substance abuse, and major depressive disorders

 

Symptoms

 

 

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Diagnosis

Dysthymia is not substance-induced, with no MDE within the first two years. It is diagnosed with:

 

depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, either subjectively or objectively, for at least two years

-and-

presence of at least two of the following:

During this time, the person cannot have been without symptoms for more than 2 months at a time.

 

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Causes and Risk Factors

 

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Treatments

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Course and Prognosis