Things Everyone Should Know About Dysthymic Disorder

History

While traditionally considered a passive, less severe form of depression, dysthymia was originally measured solely by the level of enjoyment observed in patients. Later studies of the disorder concluded there were two categories of dysthymic patients. The first is anxious dysthymia, characterized by pronounced restlessness, low self-esteem, and sensitivity to interpersonal rejection. The second is anergic dysthymia, which is characterized by symptoms like anhedonia, hypersomnia, and chronically low energy levels. The fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) consolidated the definitions of dysthymic disorder and chronic major depressive disorder under a single classification: persistent depressive disorder.