Symptoms of Persistent Depressive Disorder

The symptoms of dysthymia, otherwise known as persistent depressive disorder, can last for years. If the condition isn't properly diagnosed and treated, it can lead to major depression.

Reviewed and approved by the psychologist Valeria Sabater.

Written by Valeria Sabater

Last update: 15 November, 2021

The symptoms of persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia, tell us that this condition is a lot more than chronic sadness. In many cases, this clinical condition is the prelude to major depression.

However, the worst part is that a person can spend months and even years with a suffocating sadness, they don’t know the cause of. All they know is that their quality of life is greatly impaired.

The brains of people with depression work very differently from the brains of those who don’t suffer from the condition. Thus if a person with dysthymia got an MRI, they might see something very striking. They’d see an imbalance. In addition, the areas in charge of regulating thought, sleep, appetite, and even decision-making have problems communicating, which means they work more slowly.

These psychological realities can’t be seen on the outside. Persistent depressive disorder doesn’t leave a mark, doesn’t cause fever, and doesn’t completely incapacitate you from going to work or relating to people. However, you know that something is wrong with you.

Life hurts and becomes slow, difficult, and dark when a person has to live with dysthymia as a permanent co-pilot who gradually takes control of each and every situation.

Therefore, it’s vital that we learn to recognize the symptoms. Detecting this condition early on can prevent it from worsening. This is because clinical data reveals that the risk of it developing into major depression is 50 percent.

The symptoms of persistent depressive disorder

In the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), dysthymia or dysthymic disorder was renamed as persistent depressive disorder. This designation describes a clinical condition that can last between six months and two years. Nevertheless, it isn’t as serious as major depression.

Studies, such as this one conducted at the University of California by doctors C.T. Hoepner and M. Zetin, show that it’s wrong to consider this condition a minor or mild depression. While major depression causes intense or limiting symptoms, dysthymia has less debilitating but chronic ones.

We’re talking about discomfort and heaviness that affect the sufferer day after day, month after month. Eventually, these symptoms  undermine the patient’s mood considerably.

Because of this, we shouldn’t call it a minor disorder. On the other hand, it’s worth noting that, in many cases, dysthymia has a genetic factor and affects more women than men.

Some people believe that feeling this way is, in many cases, an extension of the feelings that predominated in childhood. Assuming that this is a determining factor is a serious mistake, as it would normalize the condition.

Symptoms of persistent depressive disorder

Although depression causes different symptoms in each person, some common ones make up the most important diagnostic criteria. These are occurrences, usually subtle ones, involving feelings and emotional states. Although they aren’t as serious or disabling, they end up affecting the patient because of their persistence.

The person may feel able to work, relate to others, or do leisure activities. However, they do them out of “obligation” rather than anything else. They aren’t really motivated to do them, nor do they experience pleasure when they do so.

Here are more symptoms of persistent depressive disorder:

• Eating disorders. A person may either not feel hungry, or, alternatively, they may overeat.
• Not getting enough sleep or feeling sleepy most of the day.
• A lack of energy and constant tiredness.
• Problems concentrating and making decisions.
• Low motivation.
• Social mimicry. A person may limit themselves to mimicking others. They’ll laugh when others laugh, go to the same events as others, and have conversations with apparent interest. However, all of this is just a disguise, because, deep inside, there’s no real interest or desire on their part.
• Discouragement, grief, and negativity.
• A persistent bad mood.
• Self-criticism and a low self-esteem that permeates almost everything they do.

To be diagnosed with this condition, these symptoms should last for at least two years.

What’s the treatment for dysthymia?

Once you identify the symptoms of persistent depressive disorder, it’s essential to seek professional help. Even though more women suffer from it than men, there’s a high possibility that men are rather reluctant to ask for help.

This condition doesn’t disappear on its own. It’s like a virus that lodges itself inside until it totally weakens the host.

The most common therapeutic strategy is twofold:

• Some cases will require medication. Among the most common treatments are the following:
  • SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).
  • TCAs (tricyclic antidepressants).
  • SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors)
• Secondly, psychological therapy is necessary in all cases, the most effective being cognitive-behavioral therapy.
• On the other hand, other approaches will also be useful, such as support groups, mindfulness, interventions to improve sleep quality, and social relationships.

In conclusion, each person will benefit from a particular type of treatment. In one way or another, persistent depressive disorder can be treated and its prognosis is usually good. Never hesitate to ask for help so you can enjoy the well-being you deserve.