Dysthymia is a chronic type of depression in which a person's moods are regularly low. However, symptoms are not as severe as with major depression.The main symptom of dysthymia is a low, dark, or sad mood on most days for at least 2 years. n addition, two or more of the following symptoms will be present almost all of the time that the person has dysthymia:

Feelings of hopelessness

Too little or too much sleep

Low energy or fatigue

Low self-esteem

Poor appetite or overeating

Poor concentration
People with dysthymia will often take a negative or discouraging view of themselves, their future, other people, and life events. Problems often seem more difficult to solve.