Key features of depression and its management in general practice.
 
 

"..I'm not like other people.."

 
1. Symptoms of dysthymia may be absent for long periods of time.
2. Dysthymic disorder usually starts as a sequelae to a well-defined major depressive episode.
3. In dysthymic disorder, depression is more subjective than objective i.e. symptoms tend to outnumber signs.
4. Dysthymic disorder typically leads to marked impairment of functioning and multiple hospitalisations.
5. People with dysthymic disorder emphasise work at the exclusion of family life.
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1. Symptoms of dysthymia may be absent for long periods of time.

Author's answer: False

Dysthymic disorder usually runs a persistent or at best intermittent course.