Dysthymia

Dysthymia (/dɪsˈθaɪmiə/ dihs-THIY-mee-uh), known as persistent depressive disorder (PDD) in the DSM-5-TR^[5] and dysthymic disorder in ICD-11,^[6] is a psychiatric condition marked by symptoms that are similar to those of major depressive disorder, but which persist for at least two years in adults and one year among pediatric populations.^[7][8] The term was introduced by Robert Spitzer in the late 1970s as a replacement for the concept of "depressive personality."^[9]

With the DSM-5's publication in 2013, the condition assumed its current name (i.e., PDD), having been called dysthymic disorder in the DSM's previous edition (DSM-IV), and remaining so in ICD-11. PDD is defined by a 2-year history of symptoms of major depression not better explained by another health condition, as well as significant distress or functional impairment.^[8]

Individuals with PDD, defined in part by its chronicity, may experience symptoms for years before receiving a diagnosis, if one is received at all. Consequently, they might perceive their dysphoria as a character or personality trait rather than a distinct medical condition and never discuss their symptoms with healthcare providers.^[10][11] PDD subsumed prior DSM editions' diagnoses of chronic major depressive disorder and dysthymic disorder.^[3] The change arose from a continuing lack of evidence of a clinically meaningful distinction between chronic major depression and dysthymic disorder.^[8]