AbstractIntroduction: Dysthymia is a recurrent, prolonged depressive disorder, understudied, often undertreated and can lead to high rates of death by suicide. A descriptive survey was done to assess the prevalence and severity of Dysthymia among young adults living in selected residential areas of urban community of Delhi and to find out the relationship
between Dysthymia and selected demographic variables, that is, age, gender, marital status.
Methodology: A quantitative research approach (non- experimental) with descriptive survey design was used. 200 young adults were administered Cornell Dysthymia Rating scale (CDRS).
Findings: Three fourth study subjects were found to have moderate dysthymia. 32 (16%) study subjects had mild dysthymia while 13 (6.5%) study subjects had severe dysthymia. Statistically significant relationship was found between dysthymia and age of the subjects.
Conclusion: Dysthymia should be addressed through educational programs geared toward acknowledging and addressing dysthymia.
Keywords: Dysthymia; Young Adults; Residential Community.