Dysthymia is a mild form of depression. We could place dysthymic disorder at one end of the depression spectrum, while the most severe depressive disorder would be at the other end.
The term dysthymia comes from the Greek “altered mood”. People with dysthymia can live years without being treated in any way, at first glance they may seem like quite dejected people, however, it is a real emotional disorder and people who have it can respond very well to treatment.
- Dysthymic disorder affects about 1.
- 5% of the population and.
- Like other emotional illnesses.
- Women end up being more affected than men.
It is very important not to confuse a specific period of sadness with dysthymia, because everyone may feel sad at some stage of life for different reasons, and that is normal, however, for a melancholy condition to be considered a dysthymic disorder, it must be present every day for at least two years.
The most notorious signs of dysthymic patients are sadness and melancholy; in general, they find it very difficult to find happiness and satisfaction in the activities of everyday life, often have low self-esteem and difficulty making decisions.
Fatigue and low energy consumption also accompany this disorder, sleep and eating habits are affected on a recurring basis, when resting, people with dysthymia may suffer insomnia or sleep more than usual, compared to the diet may have episodes of binge eating. eat or, on the contrary, a total lack of appetite.
Another common difficulty is the ability to memorize and concentrate, which can be seriously affected; it is also common for people with dysthymia to start gradually isolating themselves, which can become a social disability and even a phobia of being accompanied by others.
Researchers do not yet know the exact cause of dysthymic disorder. Although it may be a genetic component, the current belief leans more towards social isolation, personal failures and stressful situations experienced.
The peculiarity of dysthymia is that more than three-quarters of patients have another chronic condition, such as a physical illness, substance abuse problem, or other psychiatric disorder. Doctors and therapists often find it difficult to determine exactly what happened first, whether it was dysthymia or another disease, as it is often difficult to distinguish them at first.
Options for treating dysthymic disorder at an early stage involve in-depth work with the patient to determine the underlying causes. Some of the modalities that have been shown to be effective include psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
In addition, there are pharmaceutical options for dysthymic disorder, including medications that can offer significant help to patients with dysthymia.
In any case, talking to the patient about their problems is very beneficial and helps to dispel myths that may arise, such as the feeling of futility. Treatment is also aimed at the person learning how to manage their emotions well.
In addition to individual therapy, group therapy also helps the patient regain lost confidence and improve their social interaction skills.
A person with dysthymia can lead a fairly normal life, despite the sadness he or she feels, a person suffering from depression, on the other hand, cannot, the main difference is the level of disability that the person feels.
? In dysthymia, there is no lack of interest or ability to experience pleasure.
? There is no agitation or slowness of the engine
? There are no suicidal thoughts typical of depressive states.
? There’s no recurring idea about death.
Clearly, a correct diagnosis can only be made by a duly qualified psychologist or psychiatrist, so if you think you may be suffering from dysthymia or know someone in this situation, it is advisable to consult a professional as soon as possible, as you have not received treatment. Dysthymia can lead to depression, a disorder that can have more serious consequences.
Image courtesy of Gabriele Negri