What Is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?

Understanding the difference between dysthymia and cyclothymia will help those who are not sure which diagnosis they have and will help doctors prescribe the correct medication and treatment. They both have similar symptoms, which could make diagnosis challenging, and an individual may have one or two symptoms indicating the possible presence of both disorders.¹

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a mild to severe type of chronic depression that lasts for at least two years and involves feeling down or depressed almost all the time. Persistent depression is widespread and can happen to anyone at any age. The best treatment combines medication, therapy, and healthy lifestyle decisions.

Impact of Persistent Depressive Disorder

An individual with persistent depression has a dark, low, or depressed mood and one or two other depression symptoms. Although these symptoms are present in all types of depression, they may last much longer in those with PDD. The persistent nature of this illness means it interferes with learning, working, and maintaining personal relationships.

How Common is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent depression can happen to anybody, and it is not dependent on age. Research shows that more than 3% of the US Population experiences it at a point in their lives. However, PDD is more common in women whose relatives have persistent depression. ²

What is the Difference Between Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) and Cyclothymia?

Persistent depression is characterized by mild phases of depression, while cyclothymia is characterized by recurrent episodes of phases of depression and euphoria. Also, persistent depression is caused by several factors like chronic stress, poor coping capacities, negative life events, genetics, and abnormal brain functions. Cyclothymia is generally caused by family history and genetics. ³

What Causes Persistent Depression?

There are various factors that may be responsible for dysthymic disorder. Some of these factors will be detailed below.

Biological Differences

Individuals with PDD might have physical differences in their brains. Although the specifics of the effects of these changes are not certain, they have been known to cause persistent depression and could point to other mental conditions as well.

Brain Chemistry

Neurotransmitters are natural brain chemicals that contribute to mental stability. Recent studies suggest that changes in these neurotransmitters’ effects and functions and how they react with interactions with neural circuits are responsible for preserving mood stability and may have a huge impact on depression and its treatment.⁴

Inherited Traits

Persistent depressive disorder is more common among people with relatives that also have the condition. However, researchers are still looking for ways to determine the gene responsible for causing depression.

Life Events

Just like every other type of depression, traumatic events like financial issues, high-stress levels, or the loss of a loved one can cause the effect of persistent depression in some people.

Signs and Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder

You should be able to recognize some of the symptoms of persistent depression in order to help you or a loved one that may be exhibiting symptoms. Knowing the symptoms will also determine if you need to see a doctor or not.

Common Signs of Persistent Depressive Disorder

These are some of the common signs and symptoms of persistent depression:

Trouble at work or school
Fatigue
Lack of appetite or overeating
Feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or isolation
Limited energy
Lack of concentration
Low self-esteem
Either sleeping too much or having insomnia

Dysthymia Complications

Persistent depressive disorder can also result in various health complications that range from mild to severe depending on the individual. Some of these complications include:

Substance abuse
Reduced quality of life
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Anxiety disorders and other mood disorders
Work and school problems with decreased productivity
Relationship difficulties and family conflicts
Severe pain and general medical illnesses
Personality disorders or other mental health disorders

When Should I Seek Immediate Help?

If the aforementioned symptoms have persisted for a long time, you might think they are a normal part of your life. However, this often isn’t the case, so if you notice any of the symptoms, you need to seek immediate help from any medical practitioner.

You can talk to your doctor about your symptoms or seek help from a mental health clinic directly. If you don’t feel comfortable going to a mental health hospital, you can also reach out to a trusted relative or friend who can guide you to treatment. Also, if you want to, or have, attempted suicide or inflicted other self-harm, call 911 or any emergency number.

Risk Factors for Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder frequently manifests in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood, and it also seems to be more likely to develop by some circumstances, including:

Persistent Depressive Disorder Diagnosis

If you discover that you have one or more symptoms of persistent depression, you should see a doctor to diagnose how you are feeling accurately. PDD diagnosis usually includes the following steps:

Physical Exam

Your health care provider may perform a physical examination and ask questions about your health and what’s causing the depression. These questions are necessary because sometimes the symptoms you’ve experienced or are experiencing can be connected to an underlying medical condition.

Lab Tests

You might be asked to undergo some tests to check if you have other health issues besides PDD. For instance, you might do a blood test to check the activities of your thyroid.

Psychological Evaluation

This involves talking about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. A questionnaire may also be used to help determine a diagnosis. This assessment can help identify additional conditions that alter moods, such as severe depression, bipolar disorder, or seasonal affective disorder.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

According to the DSM-5, the diagnostic criteria for persistent depressive disorder include the following:

Note that for children, the timeline for the first criteria is reduced to one year.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Treatment and Prevention

There are various medications and therapy to fight persistent depressive disorder. In addition, some lifestyle changes can also lessen the effects of persistent depression.

Can Persistent Depressive Disorder Be Prevented?

Although any type of depression cannot be prevented, there are several things you may do to lessen its severity, including:

What Is the Outlook for People With Persistent Depressive Disorder?

With lifestyle changes, talk therapy, and medication, you or a loved one can control persistent depression and help mitigate and manage symptoms. However, some people experience depressive symptoms all their lives. Major depressive symptoms will likely occur once or more times in patients. Speak with your doctor if your depression worsens and they can adjust your medication or amount of therapy.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of your condition, medications and psychotherapy can help you get better.

Medications

The most common antidepressant medications used in resting persistent depression are:

You might have to try different medications and dosages before you get the one that works perfectly for you. It may take a few weeks or longer for some medications to take full action and for side effects to subside as your body becomes used to them. Don’t stop taking an antidepressant without consulting your doctor first, as suddenly stopping medication or skipping several doses might result in withdrawal symptoms and aggravate depression.

Psychotherapy

The term psychotherapy refers to the process of treating depression by talking with a mental health expert about your condition and any associated problems. It can also be called talk therapy or psychological counseling.

Different psychotherapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, can effectively treat persistent depression. You and your therapist can talk about the best therapy for you, your goals for therapy, and other things, including the length of the course of treatment.⁵

Get Treatment for Dysthymia at Pacific Beach Health

If you’ve recognized the signs of persistent depressive disorder in yourself or a loved one, know that healing is within reach. At Pacific Beach Health, we specialize in providing compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your unique journey.

Our dedicated team offers a range of therapies—including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care—to address both the symptoms and underlying causes of chronic depression. We understand that each individual’s path to wellness is different, which is why we create personalized treatment plans that encompass not just mental health, but also physical well-being and spiritual growth.

We offer flexible programs, including Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient (IOP), designed to fit seamlessly into your daily life while providing the structured support necessary for lasting change.

Taking the first step toward recovery can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to us to schedule a confidential consultation.

Let Pacific Beach Health be your partner in rediscovering hope, balance, and a renewed sense of purpose.

What is the Difference Between Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) and Cyclothymia?

Persistent depressive disorder is a mental disorder closely associated with major depressive disorder. Read on to learn about their differences.

What Is Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)?

Impact of Persistent Depressive Disorder

How Common is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

What is the Difference Between Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) and Cyclothymia?

What Causes Persistent Depression?

Biological Differences

Brain Chemistry

Inherited Traits

Life Events

Signs and Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder

Common Signs of Persistent Depressive Disorder

Dysthymia Complications

When Should I Seek Immediate Help?

Risk Factors for Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder Diagnosis

Physical Exam

Lab Tests

Psychological Evaluation

Persistent Depressive Disorder Diagnostic Criteria

Persistent Depressive Disorder Treatment and Prevention

Can Persistent Depressive Disorder Be Prevented?

What Is the Outlook for People With Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent Depressive Disorder Treatment Options

Medications

Psychotherapy

Get Treatment for Dysthymia at Pacific Beach Health

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