Dysthymia Totally Explained

Everything about Dysthymia totally explained

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Dysthymia is a mood disorder characterized by chronic mildly depressed or irritable mood often accompanied by other symptoms (as eating and sleeping disturbances, fatigue, and poor self-esteem). The depressed mood must be present for most of the day for two years with no more than two months’ freedom from symptoms. In addition at least two of the following symptoms must occur concurrently with the depression: disruption in eating habits - poor appetite or overeating; disturbed sleeping pattern and/or insomnia; low energy or fatigue; low self-esteem; poor concentration or difficulty making decisions; and a feeling of hopelessness. Dysthymia is a disorder that can be treated through anti-depressants and psychotherapy.

Definition

Dysthymia (pronounced /dɪsˈθaɪmiə/) is a mood disorder that falls within the depression spectrum. It is considered a less severe condition than major depression. Dysthymic disorder is generally thought to be a chronic depression. According to the APA, DSM-IV (2000), two or more of six possible symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of dysthymia. These symptoms include poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or hypersomnia, low energy or fatigue, low self-esteem, poor concentration or difficulty making decisions, and feelings of hopelessness. An individual must experience symptoms for at least two years and should have no longer than a two-month period without symptoms being present. These symptoms must result in clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, academic, or other major areas of functioning (APA, 2000). This disorder tends to be a chronic, long-lasting illness.. Other new anti-depressants include bupropion (Wellbutrin), venlafaxine (Effexor), mirtazapine (Remeron), and duloxetine (Cymbalta).
There may be side effects of medication. SSRIs can cause nausea and problems with sexual functioning. They can cause anxiety to increase in the early stages of treatment and lead to apathy in the long run. Concerns about the increased risk of suicide have led the U.S Food and drug administration to advise many anti-depressant manufacturers to put prominent warning labels on their products. The scientific community hasn't found that anti-depressants increase suicide risk, but a small number of people using the medications feel strikingly worse rather than better when they take them. You should immediately report all troubling changes to your doctor and keep all follow-up appointments. Remember the risk of leaving depression untreated is far greater than the risk of treatment with an anti-depressant.
It usually takes two to six weeks of anti-depressant use to see improvement. The dose may have to be adjusted. Often it'll take up to a few months for the full positive effect to be seen. Sometimes two different anti-depressant medications are prescribed together, or your doctor may combine a mood stabilizer or anti-anxiety medication with an anti-depressant. The type of psychotherapy that will help depends on a number of factors, including the nature of any stressful events, the availability of family and other social support, and personal preference. Therapy should include education about depression. Support is essential. Cognitive behavioral therapy is designed to examine and help correct faulty, self-critical thought patterns and correct the cognitive distortions that persons with mood disorders commonly experience. Psychodynamic, insight-oriented or interpersonal psychotherapy can help a person sort out conflicts in important relationships or explore the history behind the symptoms.

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