Cyclothymia vs. Dysthymia — What's the Difference?

Cyclothymia, also known as cyclothymic disorder is a mental and behavioural disorder that involves numerous periods of symptoms of depression and periods of symptoms of elevated mood. These symptoms, however, are not sufficient to be a major depressive episode or a hypomanic episode.

Dysthymia, also known as persistent depressive disorder (PDD), is a mental and behavioral disorder, specifically a disorder primarily of mood, consisting of the same cognitive and physical problems as depression, but with longer-lasting symptoms. The concept was coined by Robert Spitzer as a replacement for the term "depressive personality" in the late 1970s.In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), dysthymia is a serious state of chronic depression, which persists for at least two years (one year for children and adolescents).

A mood disorder characterized by alternating periods of elevated and depressed mood that are milder than those typical of bipolar disorder. Also called cyclothymic disorder.

A mood disorder characterized by depressive symptoms that persist for two or more years, sometimes subsiding for short periods of time. Also called persistent depressive disorder.

(medicine) A chronic mental disturbance characterized by mood swings and depression.

A tendency to be depressed, without hope.

A mild bipolar disorder.

(psychiatry) A form of clinical depression, characterized by low-grade depression which lasts at least 2 years.

A mild bipolar disorder that persists over a long time

Mild chronic depression;