What is dysthymia, and can it be treated?

Yes. Dysthymic disorder is a term used in psychiatry to describe an ongoing depression that may not be as severe as a major depressive disorder, but is chronic, often lasting for years—and, for some people, as long as they can remember.

The symptoms may be similar to that of major depressive disorder, but milder—that is, fewer and less severe symptoms. The diagnosis is usually made when the symptoms have lasted for at least two years.

Following are the American Psychiatric Association's DSM IV criteria for dysthymia:

Feeling unhappy or "down" most of the time on most days, AND, while depressed, at least two of the following symptoms are present:

Poor appetite or overeating.   Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much.   Low energy or fatigue.   Low self-esteem.   Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions.   Feeling hopeless.   Excessive use of alcohol or other recreational drugs.

People with dysthymia are able to work and generally conduct their lives, but often feel irritable, are chronically unhappy with themselves, unable to enjoy things, and may feel that life is not very worthwhile.

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