Definition of Dysthymia:

Dysthymia is a chronic form of depression characterized by moods that are consistently low, but not as extreme as in other types of depression.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown. Although the symptoms are not as severe as those of other forms of depression, affected people struggle nearly every day with low self-esteem, despair, and hopelessness.

As with major depressive disorder, dysthymia occurs more frequently in women than in men and affects up to 5% of the general population. Dysthymia can occur alone or in conjunction with more severe depression or other mood or psychiatric disorder.