What is dysthymia?
Dysthymia, also known as dysthymic disorder, is classified as a
type of affective disorder (also called mood disorder) that
often resembles a less severe, yet more chronic form of major
(clinical) depression. However, persons with dysthymia may also
experience major depressive episodes at times.
Depression is a mood disorder that involves a child's body,
mood, and thoughts. It can affect and disrupt eating, sleeping,
or thinking patterns, and is not the same as being unhappy or in
a "blue" mood, nor is it a sign of personal weakness or a
condition that can be willed or wished away. Children with a
depressive illness cannot merely "pull themselves together" and
get better. Treatment is often necessary and many times crucial
to recovery.
There are three primary types of depression, including:
major depression (clinical depression)
bipolar disorder (manic depression)
dysthymic disorder (dysthymia) Who is affected by dysthymia?
Dysthymia affects women twice as often than men. Dysthymic
disorder affects approximately 5.4 percent - or 10.9 million
American adults age 18 years of age or older - during their
lifetime. According to the National Institute of Mental Health,
about 40 percent of adults with dysthymic disorder also meet
criteria for major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder in a
given year. What are the symptoms of dysthymia? Although less
severe, yet more chronic than major depression, the following
are the most common symptoms of dysthymia. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may
include:
persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood loss of interest in
activities once previously enjoyed excessive crying increased
restlessness and irritability decreased ability to concentrate
and make decisions decreased energy thoughts of death or
suicide, or suicide attempts increased feelings of guilt,
helplessness, and/or hopelessness weight and/or appetite changes
due to over- or under-eating changes in sleep patterns social
withdrawal physical symptoms unrealized by standard treatment
(i.e., chronic pain, headaches) For a diagnosis of dysthymia to
be made, an adult must exhibit a depressed mood for at least two
years (one year in children and adolescents), accompanied by at
least two other depressive symptoms (noted above). The symptoms
of dysthymia may resemble other psychiatric conditions. Always
consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is dysthymia diagnosed? Because depression has shown to
often co-exist with other medical conditions, such as heart
disease, cancer, or diabetes, and other psychiatric disorders,
such as substance abuse, or anxiety disorders, seeking early
diagnosis and treatment is crucial to recovery. A diagnosis is
often made after a careful psychiatric examination and medical
history performed by a psychiatrist or other mental health
professional.
Treatment for dysthymia: Specific treatment for dysthymia will
be determined by your physician based on:
your age, overall health, and medical history extent of the
condition your tolerance for specific medications, procedures,
or therapies expectations for the course of the condition your
opinion or preference Treatment may include either, or a
combination, of the following:
antidepressant medications (especially when combined with
psychotherapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of
depression)
psychotherapy (most often cognitive-behavioral and/or
interpersonal therapy that is focused on changing the
individual's distorted views of themselves and the environment
around them, working through difficult relationships, and
identifying stressors in the environment and how to avoid them)
electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) Because episodes of dysthymia
usually last for longer than five years, long-term treatment of
the disorder may be necessary.