Persistent Depressive Disorder
A mild but long-term form of depression.
Dysthymia is defined as a low mood occurring for at least two years, along with at least two other symptoms of depression.
Examples of symptoms include lost interest in normal activities, hopelessness, low self-esteem, low appetite, low energy, sleep changes, and poor concentration.
Treatments include medications and talk therapy.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW161
Diagnosis: Persistent Depressive Disorder-Dysthymia
US Patients: 3-6% during lifetime
World Patients: 105 Mil per year (1.5% of the population)
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset: 21, before 21 called “early onset”
Brain Area: In women, the corpus callosum and frontal lobes differ from normal; the amygdala, insula (sadness) and cingulate gyrus(emotions)
Symptoms: 2-years for adults; 1-year for children, deep depression with longer-lasting insomnia or hypersomnia and low self-esteem
Progression: little enjoyment in anything, suicidal behaviors, other disorders or addictions; hopelessness about life
Causes: genetic for 50% of cases; 75% have other physical illnesses, disorders or addictions; 95% have episodes of major depression.
Medications: antidepressants, but 6-8 weeks before progress; SSRIs, lithium
Therapies: cognitive therapy, better sleep, exercise
Youtube Video:
Life with Persistent Depressive Disorder (also known as Dysthymia)
Amazon or Library Book: Persistent Depressive Disorders
Click the book to link or order from Amazon.
Support Group: feelingkindablue.org; 866-728-7983
(Provident Behavioral Health)
Contact your local Social Security office for possible Disability Benefits through their Disability Determination Services,
Section 12.04
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Assessment of cognitive function in bipolar disorder with passive smartphone keystroke metadata: a BiAffect digital phenotyping studyby Olusola Ajilore on March 21, 2025
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that passive, unobtrusive smartphone keystroke metadata can be used to probe cognitive function and dysfunction in bipolar disorder, revealing multi-scalar behavioral features accessible through digital assays.
- Perspectives on the Ketogenic Diet as a Non-pharmacological Intervention For Major Depressive Disorderby Jade Shelp on March 21, 2025
CONCLUSION: KD represents a promising avenue for further investigation as a non-pharmacological treatment of MDD. Further research is needed to establish its clinical utility, identify predictors of response, and assess its feasibility as a treatment option for MDD.
- Partner responses to pain among male partners of women with provoked vestibulodynia-a cross-sectional studyby Linn Myrtveit-Stensrud on March 19, 2025
INTRODUCTION: Provoked vestibulodynia (PVD) is a prevalent persistent pain disorder, localized to the vulva, not only affecting the sexual health of women suffering from it but also of their partners. Partner's behavioral response to the pain has implications for the affected woman's pain and sexual function, as well as the relational dynamics of the couple.
- Two-years mothering into the pandemic: Impact of the three COVID-19 waves in the Argentinian postpartum women's mental healthby Agustín Ramiro Miranda on March 19, 2025
The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects certain vulnerable groups, including postpartum women. Thus, this work aimed to analyze the mental health evolution in Argentinian postpartum women during the first three waves of COVID-19 and its determinants. In this repeated cross-sectional study, data were collected during the three waves of COVID-19: May-July/2020 (n = 319), April-August/2021 (n = 340), and December/2021- March/2022 (n = 341). Postpartum depression, insomnia, and perceived...