What are the symptoms of dysthymia?
Although less severe, yet more chronic than major depression, the following are the most common symptoms of dysthymia. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: • persistent feelings of sadness • feeling hopeless or helpless • having low self-esteem • feeling inadequate • excessive guilt • feelings of wanting to die • loss of interest in usual activities • difficulty with relationships • sleep disturbances (i.e., insomnia, hypersomnia) • changes in appetite or weight • decreased energy • difficulty concentrating • a decrease in the ability to make decisions • suicidal thoughts or attempts • frequent physical complaints (i.e., headache, stomach ache, fatigue) • running away or threats of running away from home • hypersensitivity to failure or rejection • irritability, hostility, aggression For a diagnosis of dysthymia to be made, a depressed or irritable mood must persist for at least one year in children or adolescents and must be accompanied by at
