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HEALTH: DYSTHYMIA (CHRONIC DEPRESSION) SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT
What is Dysthymia?
Dysthymia, sometimes referred to as chronic depression, is a less severe
form of depression. With dysthymia, the depression symptoms can linger for a
long period of time, perhaps two years or longer. Those who suffer from
dysthymia are usually able to function adequately but might seem consistently
unhappy.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 10.9 million Americans aged 18 and older are affected by dysthymia. While not disabling like major depression, dysthymia can keep you from feeling your best and functioning optimally. Dysthymia can begin in childhood or in adulthood and seems to be more common in women.
Health: Causes of Dysthymia (Chronic - Depression)
The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown. As with major depressive disorder, dysthymia occurs more women in women than in men and affects up to 5% of the general population. Dysthymia can occur alone, or together with more severe depression or another mood or psychiatric disorder.
Experts are not sure what causes dysthymia. This form of chronic depression is thought to be related to brain changes that involve serotonin, a chemical or neurotransmitter that aids your brain in coping with emotions. Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may also increase the chances of dysthymia.
It's not uncommon for a person with dysthymia to also experience major depression at the same time -- swinging into a major depressive episode and then back to a more mild state of dysthymia. This is called double depression. That's why it's so important to seek an early and accurate medical diagnosis. Your doctor can then recommend the most effective treatment to help you feel yourself again.
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Also see: DEPRESSION BIPOLAR
DISORDER/MANIA POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION (PPD) CHILDREN/TEEN DEPRESSION
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Health: Symptoms of Dysthymia (Chronic - Depression)
The symptoms of dysthymia are the same as those of major depression but not as intense and include the following:
- Persistent sad or empty feeling
- Difficulty sleeping (sleeping too much or too little)
- Insomnia (early morning awakening)
- Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and worthlessness
- Feelings of guilt HOW TO STOP DEPRESSION
- Loss of interest or the ability to enjoy oneself
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions
- Changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite)
- Observable mental and physical sluggishness
- Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Health: Diagnosis of Dysthymia (Chronic - Depression)
A mental health specialist generally makes the diagnosis based on the person's symptoms. In the case of dysthymia, these symptoms will have lasted for a longer period of time and be less severe than in patients with major depression.
With dysthymia, your doctor will want to make sure that the symptoms are not a result of substance abuse or a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism. Also, the depression and other symptoms should cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of your life.
If you are depressed and have had depressive symptoms for more than two weeks, see your doctor or a psychiatrist. Your provider will perform a thorough medical evaluation, paying particular attention to your personal and family psychiatric history.
There is no blood, X-ray or other laboratory test that can be used to diagnose dysthymia.
Health: Treatment of Dysthymia (Chronic - Depression)
While dysthymia is a serious illness, it's also very treatable. As with any chronic illness, early diagnosis and medical treatment may reduce the intensity and duration of depression symptoms and also reduce the likelihood of a relapse.
To treat dysthymia, doctors may use psychotherapy (counseling), medications such as antidepressants, or a combination of these therapies. Often, dysthymia can be treated by a primary care physician.
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is used in dysthymia and other mood disorders to help the person develop appropriate coping skills to deal with everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help increase compliance to medication and healthy lifestyle habits, as well as help the patient and family understand the mood disorder. You may benefit from one-on-one therapy, family therapy, group therapy, or a support group with others who suffer with chronic depression.
There are different classes of antidepressants available to treat dysthymia. Your doctor will assess your physical and mental health, including any other medical condition, and then find the antidepressant that is most effective with the least side effects.Antidepressants may take several weeks to work optimally. They should be taken for at least six to nine months after an episode of chronic depression. In addition, it takes several weeks to go off an antidepressant, so let your doctor guide you if you choose to stop the drug.
Some evidence suggests that combining medication and psychotherapy may lead to the most improvement.
Dysthymia is a chronic condition that lasts many years. Though some people completely recover, others continue to have some symptoms, even with treatment. Some people need to continue taking medication and undergoing therapy.
Antidepressant drugs have side effects that can complicate treatment. For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may cause stomach upset, mild insomnia, and reduced sex drive.
If not treated, dysthymia can turn into a major depressive episode. This is known as "double depression."
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Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner. Therefore any content of this site is strictly intended for educational and informational purpose only. Any access to this site is strictly on a voluntary basis and at the sole discretion of the user. No content of this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor constitute the practice of any medical profession or health care provider. The information provided on this site is here to educate visitors on health issues that may affect their lives. Otherwise, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. And never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read.
Sources: NIH News In Health/National Institutes of Health/National Library of Medicine/Dept of Health and Human Services_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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