| "body"> | | | | irritability instead of depression). |
| Dysthymia | | | | * The depression is accompanied by at least two |
| Dysthymia is a type of unipolar disorder, also | | | | of the symptoms listed above. |
| referred to as chronic depression, dysthymic | | | | * The patient has not been symptom-free for |
| disorder, and sometimes misleadingly as 'minor | | | | two or more months during the two year period. |
| depression', as the effects of dysthymia are not | | | | * No major depressive episode has occurred |
| 'minor', and can be extremely debilitating. | | | | during the first 2 years of the disturbance, |
| Unlike major depressive disorder which tends to | | | | ascertaining that the condition should not be |
| develop rapidly and dramatically, dysthymia is | | | | diagnosed as major depressive disorder instead. |
| described as a 'low grade' depression. The | | | | (Note: There may have been a previous Major |
| symptoms of dysthymia tend to infiltrate in such | | | | Depressive Episode provided there was a full |
| a way that most sufferers of the illness cannot | | | | remission (no significant signs or symptoms for 2 |
| identify when they first became depressed. | | | | months) before development of the Dysthymic |
| Dysthymia is also a very long-lasting form of | | | | Disorder. In addition, after the initial 2 years (1 |
| depression - persisting for no less than two years | | | | year in children or adolescents) of Dysthymic |
| by definition of its diagnosis. | | | | Disorder, there may be superimposed episodes of |
| Dysthymia is approximately as common as major | | | | major depressive disorder, in which case both |
| depressive disorder, though it tends to occur | | | | diagnoses may be given when the criteria are |
| earlier in life, and more than 50% of dysthymia | | | | met for a Major Depressive Episode). |
| sufferers will eventually have an episode of major | | | | * There has never been a Manic Episode, a Mixed |
| depression as well. Like major depression, | | | | Episode, or hypomania, and criteria have never |
| dysthymia is more common in women than in | | | | been met for Cyclothymic Disorder. |
| men. | | | | * The disturbance does not occur exclusively |
| Symptoms | | | | during the course of a chronic Psychotic Disorder, |
| Some of the symptoms of dysthymia are shared | | | | such as Schizophrenia or Delusional Disorder. |
| with major depressive disorder, though dysthymia | | | | * The symptoms are not due to the direct |
| generally does not cause anhedonia, nor involve | | | | physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a drug |
| psychomotor agitation or psychomotor | | | | of abuse, a medication) or a general medical |
| retardation. Other symptoms may include: | | | | condition (e.g., hypothyroidism). |
| * Feelings of hopelessness. | | | | * The symptoms may not always result in |
| * Low self-esteem. | | | | clinically significant distress or impairment in social, |
| * Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions. | | | | occupational, academic, or other major areas of |
| * Low levels of energy. | | | | functioning. |
| * Increased or decreased appetite. | | | | Getting Help |
| * Insomnia or hypersomnia. | | | | Perhaps the most important step in getting help |
| * Suicidal thoughts. | | | | for dysthymia is realising and accepting that you |
| * Irritability. | | | | may be suffering from the condition. Due to |
| Dysthymia sufferers are often able to continue to | | | | dysthymia's low grade profile, years of living with |
| function in work and social situations, but | | | | the illness may have convinced you that you're |
| frequently feel distressed, overburdened and | | | | just an unhappy or worthless person - but you're |
| unhappy. | | | | not. |
| Diagnosis | | | | Chances are that if you feel this way, you need |
| The chronic but low grade symptoms of | | | | to speak with your doctor, psychologist or |
| dysthymia can make the illness difficult to | | | | psychiatrist about these thoughts and feelings. |
| diagnose. Many sufferers have lived with | | | | Once diagnosed, dysthymia can be treated |
| dysthymia for several years, and simply consider | | | | effectively with psychotherapy (counseling), |
| it part of their personality. As a result, the | | | | medications such as antidepressants, or a |
| sufferer may not even discuss their feelings and | | | | combination of both. |
| symptoms with their doctor, family or friends. | | | | If you believe you know someone who may be |
| Numerous sufferers of dysthymia are simply | | | | suffering from dysthymia, try talking to them |
| never diagnosed, or treated for their illness. | | | | about it. Approach the subject tactfully and |
| According to the DSM-IV, a diagnosis of | | | | perhaps provide them with some information on |
| dysthymia can be made when: | | | | the condition. Remember, they may not know |
| * The patient experiences a depressed mood for | | | | dysthymia even exists, let-alone that the illness |
| most of the day, for more days than not, for at | | | | may be seriously affecting and reducing the |
| least two years (in children and adolescents this | | | | quality of their life. |
| duration is one year, and the mood can be | | | | |