noun
- a persistent mood disorder characterized by chronic, mild-to-moderate depression lasting at least two years in adults or one year in children and adolescents
Usage: medical/psychiatric term; also called persistent depressive disorder
Examples
- Her dysthymia made it difficult for her to enjoy activities she once loved.
- The psychiatrist diagnosed him with dysthymia after observing his low mood over several years.
- Unlike major depression, dysthymia involves less severe but longer-lasting symptoms.
- Patients with dysthymia often benefit from a combination of therapy and medication.
- She struggled with dysthymia throughout her teenage years before seeking professional help.