What Is Dysthymia?
7. Occurrence
It is difficult to determine the exact numbers of people affected by depression. Based on existing evidence, experts currently believe that about 6% percent of the general population has persistent depressive disorder. Of patients seeking help for depression, 36% have a diagnosis of PDD, and 25% will probably go on to experience severe depression sometime in their lives.
During childbearing years, women are more susceptible than men are to dysthymia; pre-pubescent and post-menopausal women are affected equally. Men, however, are more likely to die because of the condition. PDD appears to run in families because patients are likely to be related to other individuals with some type of depression. One study also found African Americans and Mexican Americans more likely to develop dysthymia than Caucasians.
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