Abstract
We made comparative studies on dysthymic disorder (DSM-III) in contrast to major depression (DSM-III) and identified the following results: 1. Onset time is below the age of 50. Incidence in females is highest at age 20 to 30, and in males at age 40 or older. 2. Neurotic personality inclinations after 40 years were introvert and obsession traits which are associated with major depression. 3. Most subjects with major depression were influenced by motivation and psychological factors, especially female subjects with family conflict problems. 4. Total score of DRS-S78 (Depression Rating Scale of Showa Method '78 edition) and its profile is as follows: Initial time, score was lower than major depression, after 1 week the score dropped until the 4th week after which it no longer dropped. The score of major depression dropped steadily until the third week. 5. The ratio of improved versus unimproved cases is lower, and took longer time to recover than major depression. No subjects were found in manic phase during follow-up. 6. No subjects were found whose parents or siblings ever had psychotic disease. 7. We classified dysthymic disorder into two sub-types; one was young females with immature neurotic personality, vulnerable to conflicts and easily depressed. The other was middle aged males with tendency for major depression.
