Conditions & Diseases: Psychological & Mental Health

Depression

Chronic Depression Introduction & Overview

Chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, dysthymic disorder or minor depression, is a form of depression characterized by a long-lasting, but mild (depression) symptoms that last for at least 2 years for adults and 1 year for children or adolescents. This form of depression is less disabling than major depressive disorder, and the person is being capable to relatively manage their life and does not need hospitalization.

experiences a decreased sexual activity, decreased productivity and household responsibilities).

Even if the symptoms are not as severe as major depressive disorder, those who suffer from dysthymia experience a depressed mood and at least two of the following additional symptoms:

(1) appetite change (poor appetite or overeating),
(2) sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia),
(3) decreased energy or fatigue,
(4) low self-esteem,
(5) poor concentration and inability to make decisions,
(6) feeling of hopelessness.

Dysthymia has an equal chance of happening in both sexes during the preteen years which can lead to a negative impact on the child's social interaction and school performance. Children and adolescents that suffer from dysthymia have a low self-esteem, poor social skills, are pessimistic, irritable, and cranky. On the account of an early onset (before the age of 21), chronic depression increases the risk of developing psychological abnormalities or personality disorders, and subsequent major depressive episodes.

During early adulthood, dysthymia occurs in approximately 6 percent of the US population and strikes women 2 to 3x more than men.

Dysthymia is more common among first-degree biological relatives of people that suffer from major depressive disorder or dysthymia than among the general population.

Those that suffer from chronic depression can develop major depressive disorder. Statistics showing that up to 70 percent of those with chronic mild depression (dysthymia) have both dysthymic disorder and major depressive disorder (a condition known as double depression).

Dysthymic disorder has a high prevalence among those that suffer from 1). panic disorders (conditions characterized by repeated, unpredictable attacks of intense fear followed by severe anxiety symptoms),

2). personality disorders (a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by dysfunctional, chronic behavior patterns that negatively affects the social, personal and work-related relationships),

3). social phobias,

4). substance abuse,

5). multiple sclerosis (a chronic progressive nervous disorder involving loss of myelin sheath around certain nerve fibers),

6). AIDS,

7). hypothyroidism (a glandular disorder resulting from insufficient production of thyroid hormones),

8). chronic fatigue syndrome (a medical condition characterized by a prolonged and severe tiredness and/or weakness that cannot be relived by rest and is not caused by other conditions),

9). diabetes, and

10). post-cardiac transplantation.

Article by Alina Morrow,
MS Psychology
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Depression Bibliography