I was dx w/ Dysthymia many years ago. The first time I began taking medication was the first time I realised that there was a sun-shiney, COLORFUL, glorious world out there, and I'd not been getting much more than shadows cast on me. The problem with this dx, imho, is that it's not terribly dramatic, and may not have any "serious" signs, like suicide attempts, for example. Because of this, it's much less likely to be diagnosed in the first place. Having been on antidepressants for a while, now, I know that I don't HAVE to be Eeyore anymore. Not that I'm Tigger, either, but, you know, somewher ein between is very nice. Life is so much easier now.