A mood disorder characterized by chronic mild to moderate depression. To meet the DSM-IV criteria for Dsythymic Disorder, the patient must have a depressed mood that occurs for most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years. The person must also experience at least two of the following symptoms: poor appetite or overeating; insomnia or excessive sleep; low energy or fatigue; poor concentration; or difficulty making decisions. Because of the chronic nature of dysthymia, patients may be prone to making statements such as, "I've always been this way," or "That's just how I am".
Source:
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1994.
