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.