Dysthymia, Persistent Depression Disorder, is a chronic but mild type of depression. Although its severity is milder than major depression, if it lasts for a long time, it negatively affects the person's life.
Dysthymic patients experience their discomfort in a more vague way and their disability is not easily perceived, they give most of their energy to their work, therefore they focus on the social areas of their lives. They do not have much energy left to spare.
The disorder must be present for at least two years, there must be a depressive mood almost every day for a significant part of the day, and there must be no period longer than two months without these symptoms.
-Low self-esteem,
-Hopelessness and pessimism,
-Decrease in interest and desire,
-Lack of concentration,
-Difficulty in decision making Symptoms such as anxiety and introversion are frequently observed.
-Disruptions in the areas of sleep, appetite and sexuality are less common than depression.
In dysthymia, only stagnation in the morning hours is frequently observed. To diagnose dysthymia disorder in children and adolescents, symptoms must continue throughout the day, almost every day, but it is sufficient that they last for a year. For children, the mood may be more irritable than depressive. Dysthymia was fairly recently included in the DSM and WHO classifications of mental disorders because it characterizes a common clinical presentation of depression in both psychiatric and general medical settings.
What Causes Dysthymia?
It is not known exactly what causes Dysthymia (Ongoing Depression Disorder). There may be more than one factor in the development of this disease:
-Abuse in early childhood,
-Neglect,
-Abuse,
- Traumas such as chronic violence,
-Imbalances in chemicals in the brain,
-Genetic factors,
-Patient's history of other mental disorders,
-Chronic physical diseases,
-Physical brain traumas such as concussion can cause dysthymia.
How is Dysthymia (Ongoing Depression Disorder) Treated?
Dysthymia can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Antidepressant group drugs are very effective in this disease. It is necessary to continue preventive drug treatment for at least two years. Fall with psychotherapy The aim is to express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way, to cope with and control your emotions, to replace your negative beliefs with positive thoughts, to take control of your life, and to set realistic goals.
Changing your lifestyle, for example, doing sports, healthy Nutrition, affirmation, or journaling complement the treatment and may improve some symptoms.
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