Things Everyone Should Know About Dysthymic Disorder

Dual Diagnosis

Dysthymia is known for its high instances of comorbidity. This means it often co-occurs with other mental disorders such as anxiety disorders, schizotypal disorders, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Approximately forty percent of dysthymic adults also meet the criteria for major depression or bipolar disorder, and half will have substance abuse issues over their lifetimes. Double depression occurs when an individual with dysthymic disorder also suffers from recurrent but temporary episodes of major depressive disorder. Individuals with co-occurring mental health or substance abuse issues have lower chances of recovery or remission than those who do not have an additional mental illness.

Related Disorders

Co-occurring symptoms can be indicative of more severe problems, such as when depressive or dysthymia episodes alternate with periods of hypomania. Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder characterized by these alternating states. Since hypomania periods do not progress into the hypermania exhibited by bipolar disorder patients, cyclothymic disorder patients are sometimes misdiagnosed with dysthymia. Depressive episodes are not as severe as with bipolar or dysthymic disorder, and generally, do not last more than two weeks. Manic episodes are characterized by a decreased sense of control or productivity rather than unnerving bouts of energy or feelings of invincibility.