Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
A long-lasting depression where your mood is low on most days for at least 2 years. It's often milder than major depression, but slower to lift.
Category: Conditions
What is persistent depressive disorder?
Persistent depressive disorder used to be called dysthymia. The low mood is steady rather than severe. If you've felt flat for so long that it seems like part of your personality, that's a common sign. It isn't your personality.
Key things to know
In adults, the DSM-5 requires low mood for at least 2 years, along with things like poor sleep, low energy, low self-esteem, or trouble making decisions. In children and teens, 1 year is enough, and the mood can show up as irritability. Episodes of major depression can happen on top of it.
- Low mood on most days for 2 years or more, in adults.
- It often feels like your personality, not an illness.
- Major depression on top of it is sometimes called double depression.
- It's treatable, even after many years.
- Therapy plus medication tends to beat either one alone.
What helps
Because it's been going on so long, you might never think to ask for help. It does respond to treatment. Therapy, especially CBT, works, and so do antidepressants. The two together tend to work best. A psychiatrist or psychologist can tell it apart from other kinds of depression.
How SelfMind can help
SelfMind is an AI companion for everyday mental health support: a private place to talk through what you are feeling, in Hindi, English or Hinglish, at any hour. It is not therapy and not a crisis service; it works alongside professional care, never in place of it. You can try it free, no account needed.
Related terms
This entry is educational information, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. For assessment and treatment, consult a qualified mental health professional. If you are in crisis, see our crisis resources. In India, Tele-MANAS is free at 14416, 24x7.