Dysthymia (Persistent Depressive Disorder): 9 Symptoms Of Living With Chronic Depression
Do you usually feel sad permanently? Do you think you have a persistent depressive disorder? You may suffer from dysthymia, a depressive disorder that involves living with chronic depression.
The dysthymia, currently known as persistent depressive disorder, involves a mild or moderate chronic depressed mood. The symptoms of this depressive disorder are usually less severe than those of major depression, and they usually last much longer. When a person is affected by this chronic depression, they are affected in all areas of their life. Therefore, these types of depression must be identified before they cause more damage to our daily lives. How can we identify dysthymic disorder?
The word dysthymia comes from the Greek ‘dys‘which means sick and ‘thymia‘ which refers to the mind or emotions. Therefore, dysthymia and its meaning imply a state of chronic and mild depression.
Within psychology, dysthymia is a persistent depressive disorder which usually presents one or two symptoms of clinical depression and lasts at least two years in adults (or one in children). When a person begins to live with this chronic depression, they usually present a sad mood that persists for a long time.
More than half of the people who suffer from a dysthymic disorder They usually see a worsening of symptoms when this condition has lasted a long time. This means that they can lead to major depression.
Currently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) consolidated the dysthymia and chronic major depressive disorder or under the so-called persistent depressive disorder, which includes any of the types of chronic depression, whether on a mild to more severe spectrum. Therefore there is no significant distinction between chronic major depression and dysthymic disorder.
Symptoms of chronic depression
Within the DSM-5, the main characteristic of a dysthymic disorder It is mainly present more days of the week than it is absent, for most of the day. The current so-called persistent depressive disorder is diagnosed when the person has suffered from its symptoms for a period of more than two years.
People who experience this ‘chronic’ depression often have periods where the severity of their symptoms increases. Persistent depressed mood presents low mood but with less intensity than in major depression. That is, persistent depressive disorder is less intense but longer in time than major depression. The main symptoms of persistent depressive disorder include the following.
Less productivity: Feelings of sadness, among other symptoms of persistent depressive disorder They usually interfere with the productivity of the person who suffers from it. Therefore, the dysthymic person usually ends up being impaired in their daily tasks. It must be taken into account that one of the characteristics is a lack of concentration or difficulty making decisions, which can affect productivity.
Feelings of guilt: These people feel deeply sad despite no apparent cause, have negative thoughts and lack motivation. They usually feel incomprehension in the environment due to this lack of capacity for enjoyment, which is why feelings of guilt often come to them.
Sadness: He dysthymic disorder It is usually characterized by a feeling of constant sadness that persists most of the days of the person who suffers from it, as well as a feeling of hopelessness and emptiness.
Increase or decrease in appetite: Our mood usually affects our appetite. In many cases, this depressive episode It can end up harming the hunger of people who suffer from it, either by increasing or decreasing it.
Fatigue: Another of the symptoms of this chronic depression It is precisely the lack of constant energy. This also contributes to feeling more guilty and reducing motivation to carry out any daily task.
Loss of interest: This depressive disorder It ends up making people feel less pleasure in those activities that they previously enjoyed.
Low self-esteem: The dysthymia It is usually related to feelings of inability and guilt on the part of the person who suffers from it. This combined with sadness or loss of interest also means that the person ends up perceiving themselves poorly. High self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy are common.
Sleep problems: Sleep problems: They can suffer from both extremes, or difficulties sleeping, especially waking up very early in the day or hypersominia with the desire to sleep most of the day.
Social isolation: In some cases, fatigue, low self-esteem, and loss of interest in daily activities can end up making people with this depressive disorder They end up isolating themselves from others. The feeling of lack of adaptation in the environment and lack of understanding can lead to isolation, which worsens the situation by doing without positive reinforcements.
Low productivity: The dysthymia It can affect cognitive abilities, affecting concentration and attention and memory deficits. This can affect productivity and your own impression of self-efficacy.
Irritability: They may have times when they show excessive anger in situations that may be somewhat annoying, but not to the point of anger or irritability.
People with dysthymia They usually have these symptoms most of the time. Furthermore, persistent depressive disorder usually has a very long duration. If you feel identified with this chronic depression and its symptoms, it is important that you consult with a professional psychologist.
Chronic major depression and dysthymia
He persistent depressive disorder It implies that people who suffer from this ‘milder depression’ may experience major depressive episodes. But, when the major depressive episode ends, people return to the previous state of chronic depression. When both disorders overlap, it is known as “double depression.”
Difference between dysthymia and depression
Dysthymia is usually known as ‘mild depression’ because its symptoms usually present in a less severe way than clinical or major depression. For its part, dysthymia is a chronic depression that is, their symptoms last more than two years, which impacts their vital functioning.
Treatment of recurrent depressive disorder
Psychologists use treatments similar to others types of depression to treat persistent depressive disorder. Treatment for dysthymia generally involves a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
Within psychotherapy, the two therapeutic frameworks to treat depression and dysthymia They are cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on learning to identify and change the most negative thought patterns; and on the other hand, interpersonal therapy, which focuses on identifying problems in our relationships and the way we communicate.
Dysthymia and its causes
As with other types of depression, the exact causes of depression are not known. dysthymic disorder Even so, it is believed that there are several factors that influence suffering from persistent depressive disorder.
Brain chemistry: Our neurotransmitters and their balance usually influence the appearance of a depression Additionally, prolonged stress can also affect these chemicals in our brain.
Environmental factors: Grief, stress, trauma, as well as other important changes in our lives can cause a chronic depression
Genetics: Research indicates that having close family members with depression can double a person’s risk of developing it.
In the event that you have been diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder In addition to going to a professional psychologist, you can also follow the following tips.
Avoid alcohol and other substances
Create daily routines that help you structure your day.
Eat a healthy diet
Establish a consistent sleep schedule.
Exercise regularly several times a week.
Get out of the house (and your comfort zone) and take the opportunity to go out with your friends.
Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing and meditation.
On many occasions for profile of a depressed person Trying to follow these tips will be quite a challenge. Therefore, it is important to focus on small changes that improve the person’s daily life. The important thing is to work within ourselves, always together with a professional psychologist, to get out of this chronic depression.
