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| Dysthymia |  The depressed state of dysthymia is not as severe as with main depression, but can be just as disabling. Here are different symptoms of dysthymia:
• Low self-esteem or self-confidence, or feelings of inadequacy
• Feelings of pessimism, despair or hopelessness
• Generalized loss of interest or pleasure
• Social withdrawal
• Chronic fatigue or tiredness
• Feelings of guilt or brooding about the past
• Subjective feelings of irritability or excessive anger
• Decreased activity, effectiveness or productivity
• Difficulty in thinking: poor memory, poor concentration or indecisiveness
Dysthymic disorder is diagnosed when these symptoms last for more than two years in adults or one year in children and a person has not been symptom-free for more than two months at a time.
People with dysthymia may be unconscious that they have an illness. They might be capable of going to work and managing their lives to some degree. On the other hand, they may be bad-tempered, stressed, or sleepless much of the time. A lot of people with dysthymia consider their symptoms are just part of their individuality. It may be harder for them to look for treatment.
About 3-6% of the population has dysthymic disorder. People with dysthymia frequently have their first symptoms earlier in life than those with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
A number of people have dysthymia together with periodic episodes of main depression.
The Difference Between Dysthymia and Depression
The symptoms of depression and dysthymia overlap but that symptoms such as weight change or sleep disturbance are less probable to be found in people with dysthymia. They are more widespread in people with chronic major depression. Other symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness are widespread to people with both dysthymia and chronic major depression.
Learning the family history may help with diagnosis. Recent reports suggested that the family histories of people with dysthymia and chronic major depression were more comparable to each other than to the family histories of people with a sharp episode of major depression.
 Treatments and therapies that are efficient for treating depression, such as medication, psychotherapy and peer support can also work for people with dysthymic disorder. As with depression, people with dysthymia may require more than one treatment, and it may take quite a few weeks for medication to work. For this period of time it is significant to look for support from friends, family or a support group that will provide the ill person with support, understanding, inspiration and hope.
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