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Distimia - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Enfermedad distímica; Depresión neurótica (distimia); Depresión crónica

Definición:

Es un tipo crónico de depresión en el cual los estados de ánimo de una persona están regularmente bajos. Sin embargo, los síntomas no son tan graves como con la depresión mayor.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

Se desconoce la causa exacta de la distimia. Tiende a ser hereditaria. Ocurre con más frecuencia en mujeres que en hombres y afecta hasta un 5% de la población en general.

Muchas personas con distimia tienen un problema de salud crónico u otro trastorno de salud mental como ansiedad, alcoholismo o drogadicción. Aproximadamente la mitad de las personas con distimia tendrán un episodio de depresión mayor en algún momento de sus vidas.

La distimia en los ancianos a menudo es causada por:

  • Dificultad para cuidarse
  • Aislamiento
  • Deterioro mental
  • Afección física
  • Reviewed last on: 8/13/2010
  • David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. Health Care Guidelines: Major Depression in Adults in Primary Care. 11th ed. 2008.

Stewart JW. Treating depression with atypical features. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007;68:25-29.

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