It's not dysthymia. It's the 'whole thing'.

I've been depressed since very young, although I was only formally diagnosed in the past 5 years or so.

My first full on breakdown was when I was 24, the accumulation of just about a decade of 'having to' have my feelings tucked away, and hiding my tears and pain.
I didn't seek treatment then though. I was too terrified. And it wasn't in my... conception of the world.

I'm 38 now, have been in therapy since I was 30, decent therapy since I was 32.
3 years ago I was diagnosed by the consultant psychiatrist as having 'Recurrent Depressive Disorder'.
I'm one of those people, a

http://www.mentalhealth.com/icd/p22-md01.html

To my face, he said I have 'longstanding treatment resistant depression'. But I am slowly improving with treatment. It's not easy though, as you can imagine.

My depression is complicated by symptoms arising from complex trauma/abuse. Dissociation, flashbacks, panic, hyper-vigilance et al.

I know when I'm in a severe episode. I function then, but only just. My body goes through the motions of life, but my mind's not there. When I'm in a severe episode, I self harm, or am too despairing to hurt myself, I'm irritable with everyone, and severely paranoid.

Mostly though, it could be classed as moderate.

I'm wondering if anyone else has similar experiences.