What is dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder?
Dysthymia, also called dysthymic disorder, is defined as a type of affective or mood disorder that often resembles a less severe, but more chronic, form of major depression. However, people with dysthymia may also occasionally experience episodes of major depression.
Depression is a depressive disorder that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. It can affect or radically alter eating, sleeping, and thinking, but it is not the same as feeling sad or down, nor is it an indication of personal weakness or a state that can be dispelled or changed at will. People suffering from a depressive illness cannot simply "pull themselves together" and recover. Treatment is often necessary, and sometimes even crucial to recovery.
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Typically, when we hear the word depression, we think of what is known as a major depressive episode, and we overlook other forms of depression.
There are three types of depression that can be classified into three main groups:
- Major depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Dysthymia
Who is affected by dysthymia?
Dysthymia affects 5-6% of the general population. It is more common in women under 64 years of age compared to men of any age.
What are the symptoms of dysthymia?
The most common symptoms of dysthymia are less severe but more chronic than those of major depression. However, each individual may experience them differently. Symptoms may include:
- Persistent sadness, anxiety, or a feeling of emptiness.
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.
- Excessive crying.
- Increased restlessness and irritability.
- Reduced ability to concentrate and make decisions.
- Decreased energy.
- Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts.
- Increased feelings of guilt, helplessness, and/or hopelessness.
- Changes in weight and/or appetite due to insufficient or excessive eating.
- Changes in sleep habits.
- Social isolation.
- Physical symptoms that do not respond to standard treatments (e.g., chronic pain, headache).
For a diagnosis of dysthymia, an adult must have had depressed mood for at least two years (one year in children and adolescents), along with at least two other symptoms of depression (listed above). The symptoms of dysthymia may resemble those of other psychiatric disorders. Always consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
How is dysthymia diagnosed?
Since depression has been shown to often coexist with other medical conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, or diabetes, as well as with other psychiatric disorders such as substance abuse and anxiety, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for recovery. The diagnosis is often made after a thorough psychiatric examination and medical history conducted by a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
Always remember to consult a doctor.
Treatment of dysthymia.
Specific treatment for dysthymia will be determined by your doctor based on:
- Your age, general health, and medical history.
- How advanced the disorder is.
- Your tolerance to certain medications, procedures, or therapies.
- Your expectations for the course of the disorder.
- Your opinion or preference.
Treatment may include any or a combination of the following elements:
- Antidepressant medications (especially when given in combination with psychotherapy, are very effective in treating depression).
- Psychotherapy (most often cognitive-behavioral or interpersonal therapy aimed at changing an individual's distorted view of themselves and their environment, with an emphasis on complex relationships and identifying stressors in the environment to learn how to avoid them).
- Electroconvulsive therapy.
Since episodes of dysthymia often persist for more than five years, long-term treatment may be necessary.
