by Sara Williams

Created on: August 01, 2009

Dysthymia (in Greek, "ill humor") is a form of depression that is characterized by its long length of duration and mild to moderate symptoms. Generally speaking, one of the qualifications for an adult diagnosis of Dysthymia is that the symptoms of depression have lasted for at least two years. Both adults and children may suffer from this depressive disorder, which likely has mostly chemical causes rooted in the brain. Although difficult to treat, especially due to its mild and chronic nature, no one has to live their whole life suffering from constant depression. As a matter of fact, treatment is very important to the patient with Dysthymia, whose risk for a major depressive episode is much higher. This article examines the symptoms of Dysthymia, a little of my own experience as someone who has been diagnosed with this mild form of depression, and treatments available that may very well kick that depression in one's life in the butt for good.

According to WebMD, these are the symptoms of Dysthymia:

1. Persistent sad or empty feeling
2. Difficulty sleeping (too much or too little sleep)
3. Insomnia (early morning awakening)
4. Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
5. Feelings of guilt
6. Loss of interest or the ability to enjoy oneself
7. Loss of energy or fatigue
8. Difficulty concentrating, thinking, or making decisions
9. Changes in appetite (eating less or eating more)
10.Observable mental and physical sluggishness
11.Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
12.Thoughts of death or suicide

The differences between Dysthymia and Major Depression are that symptoms are similar but more mild in Dysthymia, and the depression must be chronic. If manic, hypomanic, or mixed episode symptoms are present, then the diagnosis of Dysthymia no longer fits (a diagnosis of Cyclothmia, Bi-Polar Disorder's mild version, would likely be appropriate). According to the DSM, which lists mental disorders and their diagnostic criteria for pyschology professionals, symptoms of mild depression must be present for at least two years, with no absences of symptoms during that period lasting for any more than two months. Also, during the first two years of symptoms, there cannot have been an episode of Major Depression.

In young people, including children and adolescents, there is a slight difference in diagnostic criteria. Symptoms for this group must be present for only one year, and oftentimes in children,

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