How Is Dysthymia Diagnosed?
A mental health specialist generally makes the diagnosis based on the person’s symptoms. In the case of dysthymia, these symptoms will have lasted for a longer period of time and be less severe than in patients with major depression. With dysthymia, your doctor will want to make sure that the symptoms are not a result of substance abuse or a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism. Also, the depression and other symptoms should cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of your life. If you are depressed and have had depressive symptoms for more than two weeks, see your doctor or a psychiatrist. Your provider will perform a thorough medical evaluation, paying particular attention to your personal and family psychiatric history. There is no blood, X-ray or other laboratory test that can be used to diagnose dysthymia.
