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How Do Major Depressive Disorder & Dysthymic Disorder Differ?

Major depressive disorder is characterized by the sudden onset of a severely depressed mood that dominates your life and makes it difficult to function. Dysthymia, on the other hand, is a chronic, moderately depressed mood that is more long-term. Dysthymia may not make it impossible to function, but it does interfere with your living life to the fullest.

  1. Diagnosing Major Depressive Disorder

    • In order for a diagnosis of MDD to be considered, you must have a sudden change in your mood, and feel very depressed for at least two weeks; or you must have lost the ability to feel pleasure or interest in your life.

    Other Symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder

    • If your sudden mood change is accompanied by five additional symptoms from the list below, you may be diagnosed with MDD. The symptoms include: sadness, lack of will to do anything, weight loss or gain, excessive sleeping or insomnia, fidgetiness or slowness, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, or thoughts of death.

    Symptoms of Dysthymia

    • On the other hand, if you have been plagued by a generally low mood most of the day for most days for at least two years, a diagnosis of dysthymia will be considered.

    Diagnnosing Dysthymia

    • For a diagnosis of dysthymia to be made, you must have two of these symptoms: low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, helplessness, too much sleeping or eating or not enough.

    Seek Professional Help

    • If you have depressive symptoms you should consult with a medical or mental health professional to receive a proper diagnosis. Treatment is available for both MDD and dysthymia, and includes cognitive-behavioral therapy and anti-depressant medication.

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