Dysthymia

Alternative names:

dysthymic disorder; neurotic depression (dysthymia)

Definition:

A disorder with a chronic depressed mood; it is a very mild form of depression.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The cause is unknown. The symptoms are not as severe as depression. However, affected people struggle most days with symptoms of depressed mood. It occurs more frequently in women than men and generally persists over a period of years. It can occur in children.