Data from a survey of five U.S. communities showed that dysthymia
affected approximately 3% of the adult population. It was more common in
women under age 65, unmarried persons, and young persons with low income
and was associated with greater use of general health and psychiatric
services and psychotropic drugs. Dysthymia had a high comorbidity with
other psychiatric disorders, particularly major depression; only about
25%-30% of cases occur over a lifetime in the absence of other psychiatric
disorders. The findings suggest that although the onset and highest risk
periods of major depression and bipolar disorder are in young adulthood, a
residual state of dysthymia occurs in middle and old age.Abstract Teaser