I've been diagnosed for 4 years and still haven't found anyone else with the diagnosis. It's mild depression with a lack of concentration, inattentiveness, fatigue, but also a very sound and strong base for logical thinking, i.e. making the effort themselves to get help instead of being forced by family or referred by doctors.

Does anyone else here have this?

I've never heard of it GS. Did your doc put you on meds? what do you do for this?

I have it, Gypsy, as well as Major Depressive Disorder.
It's a real bugger. It's mild, but because it lasts so long, it really really wears you down.

Leenie- Dysthymic disorder is a form of depression that is between a chronic depression and major depression. The basic symptoms of depression are there, i.e. irritability, lack of interest in enjoyable activities, low energy, mood swings. Accompanied with it are problems concentrating, being pessimistic, feeling guilty or worthless for no reason at all. It's also called a double depression because of the second set of symptoms on top of the first set of normal depression symptoms. On the up side, people with dysthymic disorder often show good judgement, like seeking out treatments for depression, and are very logical.

ellis-I absolutely agree, it does wear you down over time. I've become so inattentive to the basic things that I actually made laminated check-off charts around my dorm room just so I can remember to do daily hygiene things, feed my fish, take my medications, etc.

That's such a good idea, Gypsy. I confess, I'm too embarrassed to hang my lists around the house, and if they're not right there in front of me, I don't look at them.
Do you take meds? Do therapy?
I've suffered from it since the age of 12. 31 freakin' years, and I am so tired.

Speaking of tired, I'm going to bed. I hope to hear more from you. Take good care.

I do take Welbutrin and B50, flaxseed oil, and a multivitamin prescribed by the last psychiatrist I saw. I am seeing a counselor at the university right now, although it seems like life is getting in the way of that, lol. I had to reschedule last week because of being sick; so far they haven't been very helpful, just want to put me in a social anxiety therapy group.