Persistent depressive disorder

What persistent depressive disorder actually is

Persistent depressive disorder is a long-lasting form of depression. The defining feature is depressed mood that’s present most of the day, more days than not, for at least two years in adults, or one year in children and teens. The older name for this condition was dysthymia.

Along with the low mood, people usually have several other symptoms, such as low energy, poor appetite or overeating, trouble sleeping or sleeping too much, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and a sense of hopelessness. The symptoms are often less intense than those of a major depressive episode, but they stick around far longer, which is what gives the condition its name.

Because it lasts so long, some people come to see the low mood as just part of who they are rather than as a treatable condition. It’s also possible to have episodes of major depression layered on top of persistent depressive disorder, sometimes called double depression.

What persistent depressive disorder can feel like

Living with persistent depressive disorder is often described as a gray, low-grade heaviness that never fully lifts. Rather than dramatic crashes, it can feel like a steady absence of joy, energy, or motivation that has been present for so long it feels normal.

People may push through work and responsibilities while feeling like they’re running on empty. They might assume they’re simply a pessimistic or tired person, not realizing that the persistent low mood is something that can change with treatment.

What persistent depressive disorder isn’t

Persistent depressive disorder isn’t a personality flaw or simply a gloomy disposition. It’s a recognized mood disorder, and the chronic nature of it can make it easy to mistake for an unchangeable trait.

It also isn’t the same as major depressive disorder, though the two overlap and can occur together. Major depression tends to come in distinct episodes that may be more severe, while persistent depressive disorder is defined by its long, continuous duration. Telling them apart helps guide the right approach to care.

Related terms you’ll see next

Depression is the broader category this condition belongs to. Major depressive disorder can occur on top of persistent depressive disorder. Anhedonia describes the loss of pleasure that often comes with it. Behavioral activation is a treatment approach used for chronic low mood.

When to seek professional care

If low mood and low energy have been with you for years and feel like part of the background, it’s worth an evaluation, even if you’ve learned to function around it. A clinician can sort out whether the pattern fits persistent depressive disorder and what treatments could help. Long-standing depression can improve with care, even after many years. If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek help right away. If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States.