#115 Dysthymia (English)

What is dysthymia?
Dysthymia, also known as chronic depression, is a mood disorder that involves the same cognitive as well as physical problems as depression, however the symptoms are less severe but longer lasting. As dysthymia is a chronic disorder, people suffering from it may experience symptoms  for years before diagnosis, or if diagnosis happens at all. Because diagnosis might not occur, the sufferers may believe that this sadness, depressing, is a part of their character and therefore not discuss the symptoms with anyone.

Signs/symptoms

•  loss of interest in daily activities, or activities that once enjoyed
•  low self-esteem
•  trouble concentrating
•  trouble making decisions  
•   sadness, emptiness, feeling down
•   irritability
•   poor appetite or overeating
•   lack of sleep or excessive sleeping
These symptoms however may be hard to detect due to the subtle nature of the symptoms and as they can be somewhat easy to hide in social situations or make excuses for them.

Causes

The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown, but possible causes involved are:

•   Brain chemistry - neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that transmit signals. Recent research shows tat changes in the function and/or effect of the neurotransmitters and how the interact with neurocircuits (which are involved in the maintaining of mood stability) may play a significant role in the cause of depression.

•   Genes - dysthymia is more common in people whose blood relatives also have the condition, or who have depression. Therefore those with a family history of some sort of depression are more likely to get dysthymia, or depression too.

•   Biological changes - people with dysthymia may have had physical changes in their brains which therefore affect something else, such as neurotransmitters.

•   Life events - traumatic events, high level of stress, loss of a loved one etc can trigger dysthymia

Diagnosis
Mental health specialists generally makes the diagnosis based on the person’s symptoms. In the case of dysthymia, these symptoms will have lasted for a long period of time. The mental health specialist will also have to make sure that the person isn’t suffering from a physical health condition, such as hypothyroidism.

Treatment

The main treatments for dysthymia are psychotherapy (talking to a therapist) and medication; some type of antidepressant, which ever type fits the patient the best.
If you feel like you might have dysthymia, don’t be scared to speak to someone, whether that’s your best friend, parents or school therapist. It’s better to get diagnosed so you can start treatment and recover!

KHL