Dysthymic disorder in clinically referred preschool children.

Objective: This clinical and descriptive study examined the existence, phenomenology, and frequency of dysthymic disorder in a sample of clinically referred preschool children. In addition, the frequency of DSM-IV symptoms and the alternative research criterion for dysthymic disorder were investigated.

Method: Three hundred consecutive preschool admissions (aged 2 to 6 years) to a child development unit were given a comprehensive evaluation by a treatment team.