Dysthymic Disorder, Early Onset

You said that your child has been sad, withdrawn, and/or irritable for a year or longer. Your child may even be sad when things seem to be going better for him/her. You said your child felt sad most of the time for at least 1 year. You also said that this is causing problems for your child at home or preschool. It may also be causing problems with how s/he gets along with others. Some children who have the problems that you reported have Dysthymic Disorder.

You said your child has also had 2 or more of the following problems for at least 1 year:

• Feels sad or irritable
• Eats to much or too little
• Problems sleeping or sleeping too much
• Too much energy or not enough energy
• Feel bad about him/herself
• Can't say on task/ Can't make up his/her mind
• Has little or no hope

Your child may be very irritable and cranky as well as depressed. S/he may have lots of temper tantrums and get upset easily. Your child may feel that s/he isn't good at anything. S/he may stop doing things they used to like. S/he may keep to him or herself and avoid friends. Sometimes s/he may feel guilty or think too much about things.

Dysthymic Disorder is just as common in boys as in girls.

Adapted in part from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Primary Care (DSM-PC) (1996) and the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) (1994) .