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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Although the precise cause of dysthymia isn't known, certain factors appear to increase the risk of developing or triggering dysthymia, including:

  • Having biological relatives with depression
  • Having biological relatives with dysthymia
  • Stressful life events
  • In adults only, being female
Complications Causes
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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