Dysthymia is another name for chronic depression.  This disease can be serious, although not as serious as attacks with major depression.  Someone you know may have Chronic Depression and you would not know it.  Usually someone with this disease can live a regular life. 

It’s not unusual for them to continue everyday activities such as attending school or having a social life without great difficulties.  This is due to the fact that the scars caused by this illness do not appear on the outside of the body but on the inside.  There are both physical and mental results from this disease. Chronic Depression can be around you for a long period of time without you knowing that you are experiencing it.