Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

dysthymic disorder 373
hood at a time of vulnerability in personal development
of sense of self. The various personalities
may know of each other or be unaware that the
others exist. Dissociative identity disorder is highly
debilitating.
Treatment may combine ANTIPSYCHOTIC MEDICA-
TIONS and intensive PSYCHOTHERAPY. The extent to
which treatment succeeds depends on multiple
factors, which are difficult to predict at the onset
of treatment. RECURRENCE and relapse are common.
See also ACUTE STRESS DISORDER; BRIEF REACTIVE
PSYCHOSIS.
dysthymic disorder Low-intensity, long-term or
chronic DEPRESSION. A key characteristic of dysthymic
disorder, also called dysthymia, is that the
person is generally able to function in the world
though does not feel much joy or pleasure. Irritability,
tiredness, and disinterest in most activities
are other hallmark symptoms. Treatment that
combines therapy (such as COGNITIVE THERAPY or
BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION THERAPY) and ANTIDEPRES-
SANT MEDICATIONS is often effective in diminishing
symptoms and helping affected people learn productive
COPING MECHANISMS to accommodate
aspects of their lives that cause stress. Alternative
and complementary methods such as BIOFEEDBACK,
HYPNOSIS, MEDITATION, and VISUALIZATION are often
helpful for reducing symptoms as well as restoring
a sense of control about the person’s life circumstances.
See also ST. JOHN’S WORT; STRESS AND STRESS MAN-
AGEMENT.