Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression characterized by moods that are consistently low, but not as extreme as in other types of depression.

Neurotic depression (dysthymia); Dysthymic disorder; Chronic depression; Depression - chronic

The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown. Although the symptoms are not as severe as those of other forms of depression, affected people struggle nearly every day with low self-esteem, despair, and hopelessness.

As with major depressive disorder, dysthymia occurs more frequently in women than in men and affects up to 5% of the general population. Dysthymia can occur alone or in conjunction with more severe depression or other mood or psychiatric disorder.