dysthymia

Thân thiện

A patient discusses their diagnosis of dysthymia with a therapist.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A chronic, mild form of depression: Dysthymia, also known as persistent depressive disorder, is a long-term mood disorder characterized by a consistently low, dark, or sad mood that lasts for at least two years in adults (or one year in children and adolescents). Its symptoms are less severe than those of major depression but are more enduring.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • After years of feeling persistently down, she was finally diagnosed with dysthymia.
  • Dysthymia can make daily life feel like a constant, low-grade struggle.
  • The therapist explained that dysthymia often involves a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical Context: In professional medical and psychological contexts, "dysthymia" is a formal diagnostic term. It is often discussed in relation to its duration, symptom profile, and distinction from major depressive episodes.
  • The patient's history was consistent with a diagnosis of dysthymia rather than an acute major depressive disorder.

Variants and Related Words

• Dysthymic (adj): Pertaining to or suffering from dysthymia.
  • He has a dysthymic disorder.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD): The official diagnostic name for dysthymia in the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).

Synonyms

• Persistent depressive disorder: The modern clinical term.
• Chronic depression: A descriptive, non-technical synonym emphasizing the long-term nature of the condition.

Antonyms

• Euthymia: A state of normal, stable mood.
• Hyperthymia: A personality style characterized by persistent, elevated mood, energy, and optimism.

Học thuật

Noun

1. mild chronic depression
   • I thought she had just been in a bad mood for thirty years, but the doctor called it dysthymia

Từ đồng nghĩa

• dysthymic depression