Things Everyone Should Know About Dysthymic Disorder

Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in the United States. Since 2012, there has been a sharp spike in the number of diagnoses and prescriptions written for mental health disorders, especially amongst teenagers. Dysthymic disorder, also known as persistent depressive disorder, is a form of depression that is typically less severe than others. Due to this, dysthymia can easily go undiagnosed, which puts patients who have it at risk.

Unfortunately, there is no clear dysthymic disorder cure. However, dysthymic disorder treatment does exist. Many patients need to undergo significant psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy for dysthymia. Antidepressants are also used to treat dysthymic disorder in many individuals. Although less severe, dysthymia is still a huge concern.

Why Mental Health Matters

Recent studies have confirmed rising rates of depression and suicide among teens as well as adults, coupled with a decrease in access to mental health services and psychiatric treatment. Currently, approximately forty-three million adults in the United States have a mental health condition. Up to fifty-seven percent may go without treatment, increasing the risk of comorbidity, substance abuse, financial and relational problems, self-harm, and even loss of life. The suicide rate among teens spiked drastically between 2007 and 2015. It is still on the rise, with over half of youth aged eleven to seventeen years old reporting weekly thoughts of suicide or self-harm over a period of five years.

Dysthymia Prevalence

Dysthymic disorder affects up to five percent of the general population, which is equal to about three million Americans. Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men, but men with dysthymia are at a higher risk of death. The average age of diagnosis is thirty-one years old. However, it is also common in teens and young adults, as well as older generations.

Early-onset is defined as occurring before twenty-one years old, and late-onset if diagnosed at or over twenty-one years old. Individuals in the mid-forty to mid-fifty age range are twice as likely to be diagnosed than those who are eighteen to twenty-nine years old, and nearly three times as likely as individuals sixty years old or older. Remember, however, it most often begins early in childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.