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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

The exact cause of dysthymia isn't known. Dysthymia may have causes similar to depression, including:

  • Biochemical. People with depression may have physical changes in their brains, and this may be true of dysthymia, too. The significance of these changes is still uncertain, but they may eventually help pinpoint causes. The naturally occurring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which are linked to mood, also may play a role in causing dysthymia.
  • Genes. Depression appears to be common in people whose biological family members also have the condition, and this also appears to be the case with dysthymia.
  • Environment. Again, as with depression, environment may contribute to dysthymia. Environmental causes are situations in your life that are difficult to cope with, such as the loss of a loved one, financial problems and a high level stress.
Risk factors Symptoms
References
  1. Dysthymic disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=2375. Accessed May 12, 2010.
  2. Loosen PT, et al. Mood disorders. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3285019. Accessed May 12, 2010.
  3. Depressive disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec15/ch200/ch200b.html. Accessed May 12, 2010.
  4. Sansone RA, et al. Dysthymic disorder: Forlorn and overlooked? Psychiatry. 2009;6:46.
  5. Klein DN, et al. Ten-year prospective follow-up study of the naturalistic course of dysthymic disorder and double depression. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163:872.
  6. Cuijpers P, et al. Psychotherapy for chronic major depression and dysthymia: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review. 2010;30:51.
  7. Imel ZE, et al. A meta-analysis of psychotherapy and medication in unipolar depression and dysthymia. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2008;110:197.
  8. Mood disorders. In: Stern TA, et al. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201023955-5/997725771/1657/636.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04743-2..50071-8--cesec37_1902. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  9. Mead GE, et al. Exercise for depression (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009:CD004366.
  10. Natural medicines in the clinical management of depression. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  11. Position of the American Dietetic Association and Dietitians of Canada: Dietary fatty acids. American Dietetic Association. http://www.eatright.org/WorkArea//DownloadAsset.aspx?id=8452. Accessed May 13, 2010.
  12. Smith CA. Acupuncture for depression (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010:CD004046.
  13. Gray CM, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use among health plan members. Effective Clinical Practice. 2002;5:17.
  14. Subodh BN. Psychosocial impact of dysthymia: A study among married patients. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2008;109:199.
DS01111 Aug. 26, 2010

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