What Is Dysthymia?
Dysthymia, otherwise called persistent depressive disorder (PDD), is a chronic form of depression. People suffering from this illness lose interest in normal daily activities, feel hopeless, lack productivity, and have low self-esteem. These feelings can also affect appetite and sleep. These symptoms can last for years and interfere with the person’s relationships, work, school, and other daily routines. In this type of depression, the symptoms are less severe and last for a longer time. As it is a chronic condition, it is more difficult to cope with the symptoms. Treatment with talk therapy and medication is helpful for patients with dysthymia.
What Are the Symptoms of Dysthymia?
In dysthymia, the symptoms are similar to depression, but here, the symptoms occur on most days for at least two years. Some of the symptoms are:
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Insomnia or hypersomnia.
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Feeling fatigued.
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Poor appetite or overeating.
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Low self-esteem.
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Feeling hopeless.
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Social isolation.
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Irritability.
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Negative attitude.
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Decreased productivity.
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Anger.
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Feeling sad for no reason.
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Sudden increase or decrease in weight.
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Loss of interest in daily activities.
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Restlessness.
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Problem concentrating.
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Suicidal thoughts.
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Feeling guilty.
As the symptoms appear during childhood and adolescence, the symptoms to be aware of in kids are:
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Irritability.
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Moody.
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Bad performance in school.
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Behave badly.
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Problems interacting with other students.
What Are the Types of Dysthymia?
Depending on when the symptoms start, dysthymia can be either-
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Early Onset - Before 21 years of age.
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Late Onset - After 21 years of age.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Dysthymia?
The exact cause of this chronic condition is still not clear, but like all other major depressive illnesses, dysthymia is also caused by more than one factor:
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Physical and chemical changes in the brain.
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Family history.
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Previous history of any mental illness.
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Traumatic life event.
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Trauma to the brain.
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People who have low self-esteem or who are too dependent or pessimistic.
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Chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart problems.
What Are the Complications Seen With Dysthymia?
The complications seen are:
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Drug and alcohol abuse.
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Bad quality of life.
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They can develop major depression, anxiety disorder, and mood swings.
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Relationship problems.
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Decreased productivity in school and work.
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Suicidal thoughts.
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Other mental health disorders.
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Chronic physical illness.
How Is Dysthymia Diagnosed?
Below are the tests a patient is subjected to diagnose dysthymia.
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History: The doctor will talk to the patient about the symptoms in depth and ask questions to determine the cause of the depression. If it is related to some underlying health condition, then the doctor might perform physical examinations.
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Lab Tests: The doctor might order some blood tests or other tests to rule out any medical condition that might be the cause of depression.
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Psychological Evaluation: Here, the doctor discusses the thoughts, feelings, and behavior in detail to diagnose a patient. With the help of a questionnaire, the doctor might be able to determine the exact cause and psychological condition.
Dysthymia is diagnosed by some doctors depending on the presence of symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). The symptoms listed are:
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Disturbed mood for almost every day or most of the day.
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Poor appetite or overeating.
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Sleep problems.
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Fatigue.
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Low self-esteem.
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Poor concentration.
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Difficulty making decisions.
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Feeling hopeless.
If an adult has most of these symptoms almost every day for two or more years, then they are suffering from dysthymia. For children, this diagnosis is made if the child is irritable and moody for at least a year.
What Are the Treatment Options for Dysthymia?
The treatment options are:
1. Medications: Many types of antidepressants are used in the treatment. The medicines used are -
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Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Fluoxetine and Sertraline.
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Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) like Amitriptyline and Amoxapine.
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Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Desvenlafaxine and Duloxetine.
2. Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy or talk therapy is a way to deal with mental health problems by talking to a mental health professional. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a type of psychotherapy, is found to be useful in treating dysthymia.
3. Lifestyle Changes: Along with medicines and therapy, employing some lifestyle changes can positively affect the treatment outcome. Some of the things that one can try are-
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Regular exercise for at least 30 minutes.
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Consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
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Avoid drugs and alcohol.
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St. John’s wort and fish oil are said to treat depression.
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Practice relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation.
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Maintaining a journal about daily activities will help.
When to See a Doctor for Dysthymia?
If a person notices these symptoms almost every day, it is best to consult a psychiatrist, as they can be a sign of dysthymia. As the symptoms occur for many years, one might feel they are a part of normal life, but they can cause serious complications. Never ignore the signs and symptoms, and get help immediately before they get worse.
How Can Dysthymia Be Prevented?
The following steps can help prevent almost all kinds of mental illness -
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Manage stress and anxiety to boost self-confidence.
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In times of crisis, reach out to family and friends.
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If one notices signs of depression, get help immediately before it worsens.
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Spend time outdoors and take time to do things that we like.
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Exercise regularly and eat healthily.
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Most importantly, let other people help if needed.
How Is Psychotherapy Useful in Treating Dysthymia?
It helps
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Adjust to the current situation.
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To identify behaviors that contribute to and aggravate depression.
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Replace negative behaviors with healthy and positive thoughts.
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Build strong relationships with others.
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Control symptoms, thus improving the quality of life.
What Is Meant by Anergic Dysthymia?
This form of dysthymia is usually seen in males. Anergic dysthymia is characterized by a lack of energy, reduced libido, excessive sleep, and weight loss. Patients affected with this condition usually respond well to dopaminergic and noradrenergic agents.
What Is the Difference Between Dysthymia and Major Depressive Disorder?
The main difference is that dysthymia usually lasts for at least two years. Still, in the case of major depressive disorder, the onset is rapid and can be diagnosed within two weeks of the onset of the symptoms.
Conclusion
Dysthymia is a chronic disorder and takes time to recover, so do not stop the medications and treatment halfway as there are high chances of relapse. It is a mood disorder that involves the body, mood, and thoughts as well. If you notice signs and symptoms of depression and feel too shy, consult a psychiatrist.