Mental health self-assessment · Mood & depression
Dysthymia Test: Understand persistent low mood.
Have you felt down, tired, or emotionally flat for a long time? Explore 15 questions about ongoing mood patterns, then learn how persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is assessed and treated.
For self-reflection only, not a medical diagnosis. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988 (US) or visit findahelpline.com.
- THE SELF-CHECK15 focused questionsReflect on patterns across the past two years.
- PRIVACY FIRSTNo account neededFree to take, with no sign-up. Your result appears right away.
- CLEAR BOUNDARIESInformation, not a diagnosisLearn what your answers can and cannot tell you.
The self-check
Take the dysthymia test
Explore your mood over time. Use your usual experience over the past two years, not just a recent difficult week. This self-check is written for adults. There are no right answers. This exercise can support reflection, not diagnose depression.
Your score
What the bands mean
- 0–15 Low — few signs of persistent low mood
- 16–30 Mild — some signs of persistent low mood
- 31–45 Moderate — frequent signs of persistent low mood
- 46–60 High — very frequent signs of persistent low mood
Each answer scores 0 (Never) to 4 (Almost always), for a total of 0–60. Bands describe how often you reported these experiences. They are not clinical cutoffs.
A key diagnostic duration for adults, not a diagnosis by itself.
The short answer
What is dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder)?
Dysthymia is the former name for persistent depressive disorder (PDD), a form of depression marked by a long-lasting low mood. For adults, the depressed mood occurs on most days for at least two years. In children and adolescents, it may appear as irritability and the minimum duration is one year.
PDD can affect sleep, appetite, energy, self-esteem, attention, and hope for the future. The symptoms are not always dramatic. Some people still work, study, or care for others while finding daily life harder than it appears.
Persistent means long-lasting, not untreatable. Talk therapy, medication, or both may help.
About 1.5% of U.S. adults had persistent depressive disorder in the past year, according to NIMH estimates from a national survey conducted in 2001–2003. This is a population estimate, not a way to judge an individual’s symptoms.
View sourceKnow the signs
What might dysthymia feel like?
Symptoms can look different from person to person. These are some experiences that may occur with persistent depressive disorder.
Low or empty mood
Feeling down, flat, or sad on most days, even without an obvious reason.
Low energy
Feeling drained or tired much of the time.
Low self-esteem
Being hard on yourself, doubting your abilities, or feeling not good enough.
Difficulty concentrating
Finding it difficult to focus, think clearly, or make everyday decisions.
Sleep or appetite changes
Sleeping or eating significantly more or less than is normal for you.
Feeling hopeless
Struggling to imagine things improving or to feel hopeful about the future.
Dysthymia vs. major depression
Both deserve care. A clinician can assess which, if either, describes your experience.
| Feature | Persistent depressive disorder | Major depressive episode |
|---|---|---|
| Typical duration | Depressed mood on most days for at least 2 years in adults. | Symptoms lasting at least 2 weeks. |
| Pattern | Ongoing or recurring low mood over a long period. | A distinct episode of symptoms, which may recur. |
| Severity | Can be mild, moderate, or severe, with a long-term impact. | Can be mild, moderate, or severe, and may cause marked disruption. |
| Can they overlap? | Yes. A person with persistent depressive disorder can also experience a major depressive episode. | |
What clinicians look for
How is persistent depressive disorder diagnosed?
A diagnosis depends on your history, not just an online score. A healthcare professional considers several pieces of the picture.
- 01 Duration
Low mood over time
Depressed mood on most days for at least two years in adults, or one year in children and teens. For children, the mood may be irritable.
- 02 Symptoms
At least two other signs
Such as appetite or sleep changes, low energy, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating or deciding, or hopelessness.
- 03 Clinical context
Impact and other causes
Clinicians consider distress or difficulty functioning, symptom-free periods, medications, medical conditions, and a history of mania or hypomania.
Standard criteria include no symptom-free stretch longer than two months during the two-year period. Other criteria must also be met. This page cannot confirm or rule out PDD.
Understanding the context
What causes long-lasting depression?
The exact cause of PDD is unknown. Genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors are thought to contribute, and depressive disorders can run in families.
Family history
Depressive disorders can run in families, although family history does not determine your future.
Stress and life experiences
Long-term stress, difficult experiences, and limited support may contribute to depression for some people.
Health and other conditions
Physical illnesses, medicines, substance use, and other mental health conditions can cause or overlap with depressive symptoms.
Evidence-based care
Can dysthymia be treated?
Yes. Treatment decisions depend on symptom severity, how long symptoms have lasted, your preferences, and other health needs. A clinician can help you choose an approach.
- 01 / TALK THERAPY
Talk therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one evidence-based option. For long-lasting symptoms, therapy can address negative thinking, rumination, avoidance, and relationship difficulties.
- 02 / MEDICAL CARE
Medication when appropriate
A prescriber may recommend an antidepressant, taking into account benefits, side effects, other medicines, and follow-up needs. For PDD, medicines can take longer to work than they do for major depression.
- 03 / PERSONALIZED PLAN
Combined and ongoing support
Some people benefit from both therapy and medication. Sleep routines, social support, activity, and scheduled follow-up can support treatment.
Clinical guidance: NICE guideline NG222, depression in adults. Do not start or stop medication based on an online result.
Practical next steps
What should you do if your mood stays low?
You can ask for support without waiting for two years or a high test score.
- 01
Book a conversation
Tell a primary care doctor or licensed mental health professional how long you’ve felt low and how it affects your everyday life.
- 02
Bring a short timeline
Note when symptoms began, any better stretches, sleep and appetite changes, your energy, and any medicines you take.
- 03
Ask about treatment
Discuss psychological therapies, medication where appropriate, and the follow-up plan that fits your circumstances.
In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7), or call 911 for an emergency. Elsewhere, contact local emergency services or find a helpline at findahelpline.com. A quiz is not the right tool for a crisis.
Good questions to ask
Dysthymia test FAQs
Short, practical answers to the most common questions about persistent depressive disorder and this test.
Only a qualified clinician can tell you. Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) involves depressed mood on most days for at least two years in adults (one year in children and teens, when the mood may be irritable instead), together with at least two other symptoms, such as appetite or sleep changes, low energy, low self-esteem, poor concentration or hopelessness. A clinician also checks other criteria and possible causes before making a diagnosis. This test shows how often you report experiences like these. It is not a validated clinical scale and cannot confirm or rule out the condition, but a high score is a good reason to talk to a doctor or mental health professional.
No. An online questionnaire can help you reflect on symptoms, but it cannot make a diagnosis. A licensed clinician considers your full symptom history, duration, daily functioning, and possible medical causes. The 15-question self-check on this page is an original educational questionnaire, not a validated clinical scale.
For adults, persistent depressive disorder involves a depressed mood on most days for at least two years. For children and adolescents, the minimum duration is one year. The clinician also checks other symptoms, symptom-free periods, and possible causes.
Dysthymia is the older name for persistent depressive disorder, a type of depression. It differs from a major depressive episode mainly in the longer-term pattern. Both conditions can overlap and both deserve professional attention.
Yes, some people continue with their daily routines while experiencing long-lasting low mood. Being able to work or socialize doesn’t rule out a mental health concern. The impact can be subtle or significant. If this sounds familiar, the High-Functioning Depression Test looks at that pattern.
A self-check cannot rule out a mental health condition. If your mood is affecting your life, you can speak with a professional no matter what your answers were.
No. The PHQ-9 is a specific, researched depression questionnaire that asks about symptoms over the past two weeks. The original 15-item self-check on this page is not the PHQ-9 and has not been validated for diagnosing PDD.
Yes, for many people. Some recover fully, while others continue to have some symptoms even with treatment. A professional may recommend talk therapy, medication, or both, with follow-up based on your symptoms, preferences, and response to care.
This informal term describes a major depressive episode occurring in someone who also has persistent depressive disorder. A clinician can assess both the long-term mood pattern and any periods of more severe symptoms.
Editorial transparency
Sources and review information
Prepared by the PsyMed Editorial Team from the public clinical resources listed here. We are writers and researchers, not clinicians, and no licensed clinician is claimed as a reviewer. Read how we build our tests and who we are.
Medical and editorial references
- MedlinePlus: Persistent depressive disorder
- NIMH: Persistent Depressive Disorder statistics
- NICE NG222: Depression in adults
- Merck Manual Professional Version: Depressive Disorders (DSM-5-TR criteria summary)
- Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ-9: validity of a brief depression severity measure. J Gen Intern Med. 2001;16(9):606-613.
- American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed., text rev.).
Your feelings deserve attention
A long-lasting low mood deserves attention.
Use this check-in to organize your thoughts, then speak with a qualified professional if low mood is affecting your life.
Take the self-check