DIAGNOSIS OF PERSISTENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER (DYSTHYMIA)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n3-060Keywords:
Persistent Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Clinical DiagnosisAbstract
Introduction: Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) is characterized by a depressed mood that lasts most of the day and persists for 2 years or more. Several neurological and psychiatric clinical conditions have symptoms similar to those of MDD, leading to a need for diagnostic differentiation methods between these pathologies. Methodology: A literature review of texts on the diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder was conducted using PubMed, based on the descriptors "Dysthymia", "Diagnosis", and "Treatment", combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. Results and discussion: Studies have pointed to structural differences in the brains of people with PDD compared to those without this condition. Furthermore, it is noted that the apathy of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) can be confused with the symptoms of PD, a situation that can be resolved with the use of structural magnetic resonance imaging and PET-CT with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET), since the preservation of frontal and temporal metabolism in depressed patients contrasts with the hypometabolism characteristic of dementias. Conclusion: PD (dysthymia) is a chronic condition that requires greater attention and is frequently underdiagnosed. Accurate diagnosis is essential and should be based on a detailed clinical evaluation, with in-depth knowledge of biological, psychological, and social factors. Effective treatment involves psychotherapeutic interventions (particularly CBT) combined with antidepressants, when necessary, with early diagnosis being crucial for prognosis. Finally, more scientific research is needed to deepen the understanding of the disorder.
Downloads
References
CASTRO, A. et al. Adherence predictors in an Internet-based Intervention program for depression. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, v. 47, n. 3, p. 246-261, 2018.
HUNG, C.-I. et al. Differences in gray matter volumes of subcortical nuclei between major depressive disorder with and without persistent depressive disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, v. 321, p. 161-166, 2023.
KRÄMER, R. et al. Efficacy of a Web-Based Intervention for Depressive Disorders: Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Guided and Unguided Self-Help With Waitlist Control. JMIR Formative Research, v. 6, n. 4, p. e34330, 2022.
KRZYSTANEK, M. et al. Amantadine in Treatment of Dysthymia—The Pilot Case Series Study. Pharmaceuticals, v. 16, n. 6, p. 897, 2023.
MACDONALD, E.; HORTON, J. Bupropion for Major Depressive Disorder or Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia). Canadian Journal of Health Technologies, v. 1, n. 4, 2021.
MATSUZAKA, Y. et al. The effectiveness of lamotrigine for persistent depressive disorder: A case report. Neuropsychopharmacology Reports, v. 42, p. 121-124, 2021.
MORIN, A. et al. Chronic apathy following a major depressive episode: What is it? Cortex, v. 188, p. 42-52, 2025.
OEHLER, C. et al. Efficacy of a Guided Web-Based Self-Management Intervention for Depression or Dysthymia: Randomized Controlled Trial With a 12-Month Follow-Up Using an Active Control Condition. Journal of Medical Internet Research, v. 22, n. 7, p. e15361, 2020.
SCHEFFT, C. et al. Evaluation of the internet-based intervention "Selfapy" in participants with unipolar depression and the impact on quality of life: a randomized, parallel group study. Quality of Life Research, v. 33, p. 1275-1286, 2024.
VARA, M. D. et al. A Low-Intensity Internet-Based Intervention Focused on the Promotion of Positive Affect for the Treatment of Depression in Spanish Primary Care: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, v. 17, n. 21, p. 8094, 2020.
