|
DYSTHYMIC DISORDER
Dysthymic Disorder:
Diagnosis
Dysthymic patients
have many of the same symptoms found in Major Depressive Disorder, but
thoughts of suicide and death are typically absent and patients are not
severely disabled. People with dysthymic disorder are chronically depressed
but they often feel that their chronically low mood is normal, at least
for them, and may not seek help. Although patients with dysthymia are
less impaired than those with major depressive disorder, dysthymia can
certainly compromise function and keep patients from realizing their full
potential.
Criteria for Dysthymic
Disorder
On the majority of days for two years or more, the patient reports depressed
mood or appears depressed to others for most of the day. When depressed,
the patient has two or more of the following symptoms, and symptoms are
never absent for more than two consecutive months.
• Appetite decreased
or increased
• Sleep decreased or increased
• Fatigue or low energy
• Poor self-image
• Reduced concentration or indecisiveness
• Hopeless feelings.
Please see:
Section III: "Managing
Other Depressive Disorders"
CANMAT – Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment
of Depression
(1st Edition Rev., 1999)
P. 30
Interview:
Dysthymia - Recognition and Treatment – Text
Arun V. Ravindran,
MB, MRCPsy, PhD, FRCPC
Professor of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa
Director of Research, Royal Ottawa Hospital
Diagnosing
Depressive Disorders Menu
Treating
Depressive Disorders Menu
|
