Dysthymia is a type of depression that is characterized by persistent mood disturbances. At one time or another, many people had to deal with its manifestation. The article describes the main symptoms that can help identify dysthymia. In addition, we suggest taking a test that will help determine whether you have been exposed to this disease. So, what is dysthymia and is it possible to fight it?
Dysthymia: what is it?
What do psychologists say about the disease?
General information
Dysthymia is a chronic depressive disorder, also called minor depression. It occurs in a mild form, but is protracted - symptoms can appear over several years. The term was first used by psychiatrist R. Spitzer. Now this designation is being replaced by the terms psychasthenia and neurasthenia.
Who is at risk of getting sick?
It is believed that people with certain mental characteristics are more often predisposed to dysthymia. Sometimes the disorder occurs due to chemical disorders in the brain, due to insufficient production of serotonin, a hormone responsible for resistance to stressful situations.
How to help a patient with dysthymic disorder in time?
In most cases, the prognosis for treatment of dysthymic syndrome is favorable, subject to timely consultation with a specialist.
Not many patients come to see psychologists and psychotherapists on their own, considering the clinical manifestations of neurotic depression to be part of their character; a few seek help to alleviate severe symptoms of the disease that are no longer bearable on their own. Dysthymia is a syndrome that is dangerous for the development of complications in the absence of diagnosis and treatment. If symptoms of the disorder are observed in a friend, colleague, relative or spouse, it is imperative to convince him to see a specialist to jointly find a way out of a long-term stressful state.
Please leave your opinion on the content of the article, share a real-life incident related to the disease under discussion in the comments.
Dankina Nadezhda · Jun 10, 2020
Factors that provoke the disease
To date, there is no single expert theory about the factors that provoke this type of chronic depression. The most likely hypothesis suggests a direct connection between the onset of the disease and changes in the chemical composition of substances that affect brain activity. A key factor in the formation of depressive disorder is considered to be a deficiency of serotonin, which is the main neurotransmitter.
Factors that increase the chances of dysthymia
:
- Chronic somatic diseases.
- Regular exposure to stress factors.
- Individual properties of the nervous system and a number of personal characteristics.
- Difficult situations “from childhood” in the form of strict upbringing, loss of loved ones, social isolation.
- Incorrect rest and work schedule.
- Junk food, lack of diet.
Provoking factors
Dysthymic disorders can develop in the presence of one or a combination of several unfavorable factors:
- psychosocial factor
- dysthymic syndrome may first appear at puberty when faced with the first difficulties in life, in the absence of help and support from loved ones. The teenager’s self-esteem decreases, complexes are formed, immersion within oneself, and a depressive mood; - melancholy and susceptibility to depression
- according to Freud, dysthymia develops when a child has unsuccessful interpersonal relationships in childhood. Growing up, the patient demands from his partner constant recognition of his merits, boundless love on the verge of dependence. If the patient does not receive such an attitude or the partner breaks off contact with him, clinical symptoms of depression immediately appear.
The option of a genetic predisposition to dysthymic syndrome is being considered - rates of depressive disorders in families with this disease reach 50%.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of support from close circles and society, and constant stress. Ganser syndrome - What is it?
Symptoms of dysthymia
The main symptom of the disease is considered to be chronically low mood. The situation with a general basement condition can be observed for two years or more.
Check out the list below. If you have two or more symptoms, you may have a disorder
:
- Sleep problems, manifested in the form of insomnia, early awakenings, obvious drowsiness during the day.
- Disturbed eating behavior caused by decreased appetite or excessive overeating.
- Constant lack of energy and fatigue.
- Low self-esteem, feelings of personal worthlessness, tendency to self-criticism, self-flagellation.
- A systematic feeling of emptiness, reluctance to think about anything.
- Slow reaction, distracted attention, inability to make quick decisions.
- Loss of interest in usual hobbies and reluctance to do what you once liked.
- Periodic headaches, cardiovascular diseases, joint pain, and other ailments that cannot be eliminated with medications.
- Pessimism, doubts about one's future.
- Thoughts about suicide.
Main types of dysthymia
Let's take a closer look at the two types of dysthymia:
Somatized dysthymia (cathesthetic)
This type of disorder is characterized by general poor health, rapid heartbeat, constipation, shortness of breath in the absence of physical activity, intermittent sleep, and tearfulness. The patient feels irrational anxiety.
Characterological dysthymia (characterogenic)
This type of illness is characteristic of a constitutionally depressive personality type. Feelings that an individual constantly experiences: a tendency to the blues, pronounced pessimism, constant thoughts and reasoning about the meaninglessness of life.
Dysthymia in a child
Diseases for which a child may be diagnosed with chronic dysthymia
:
- Social phobia.
- Severe chronic diseases.
- Manic-depressive disorder.
- Problems with the endocrine system.
In children, symptoms of dysthymia appear not only due to illness, but also after emotional or physical stress, as well as taking certain medications that were not approved by the doctor. The character of the child and his mental state can play a certain role.
Dysthymia in children is treated only by qualified specialists. Talk to your doctor and come up with a dysthymia treatment plan together. He will tell you how to get rid of possible complications and what to do as a preventive measure.
Doctors who will help you cope with the problem: psychologist, pediatrician, toxicologist, psychiatrist. The doctor will be able to identify parameters that contribute to the appearance of signs of dysthymia. After this, a course of treatment will be prescribed. Depending on the severity of the disease, drug treatment, group or individual therapy may be chosen. Do not delay diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostics
It was previously said that dysthymia can be judged if there are at least two of the above symptoms. When making a diagnosis, the specialist pays attention to several important criteria:
- Over a long period of time (2 years or more), a person experiences depression and remains in a depressed state.
- During the period specified in the first paragraph, signs of dysthymia disappeared for a maximum of two months.
- The patient had no history of cyclothymic disorder.
- The symptoms are not the result of excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or any medications.
And one more point - the first signs are noticed before the age of 21.
Cyclothymia and dysthymia: differences
Some people confuse cyclothymia and dysthymia. What are their differences?
Cyclothymia
Chronic instability of mental state, in which mild depression alternates with high spirits. Young people are usually susceptible to this instability. Subsequently, it becomes chronic, but at times the mood can be normal for several months. It is difficult to make a diagnosis if the patient is not seen by a specialist for a long period, and because of this, many people do not even suspect that they have an illness.
Dysthymia
With dysthymia, there are no long periods of elation or normalization of mood. At the same time, some patients may evaluate some periods as relatively good, but even during them they continue to feel tired and lack of energy. That is, the main difference is that a person almost constantly feels oppressed. Of course, such a condition is much easier for doctors to identify than cyclothymia.
Difference between dysthymia and depression
As stated above, the main difference is the ease of flow. If we compare dysthymia with depression, then in its case the symptoms are blurred. But at the same time, its manifestations oppress a person for many years. In life, he is a pessimist, feeling dissatisfied with what is happening to him.
Dysthymia is an insidious disorder. A person retains his full abilities; he still conducts mental, motor and mental activities. But he does it through force, without joy and pleasure. People around you see constant fatigue.
Seasonal dysthymia
Some people experience seasonal dysthymia without always noticing it. As the name implies, the disease comes with the change of season. Typically, during the autumn period, changes in mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and energy levels are observed. It is believed that about 2% of people are susceptible to deep seasonal depression. Milder forms are typical for 15% of people.
Signs of summer affective disorder (it is not so common): insomnia, anxiety, poor appetite.
Signs of winter affective disorder: overeating, drowsiness, cravings for foods high in carbohydrates, narrowing the circle of social contacts.
Treatment and prevention of pathology
Dysthymia is treated with psychotherapy and medication. Antidepressants are among the main group of medications that help combat the disorder. Many patients are wary of these drugs, but modern antidepressants for the most part do not carry the negative side effects that the drugs were characterized by before.
Shortly before the start of therapy, the doctor prepares the patient for the fact that the course will take a certain time - this is not a matter of two or three days. The main task is to eliminate the patient’s symptoms of the disease, as well as consolidate a positive result.
The doctor individually determines the dosage of the medicine and its immediate choice in each specific case. The specialist also determines the duration of treatment.
Dysthymia is a mental disorder that can be easily corrected. The sooner you decide to seek help, the faster you can achieve success in treatment.
Subsequent prevention of the disorder will also be determined by the doctor depending on the individual characteristics of the course of the disease. Usually it is aimed at a healthy lifestyle, increasing self-esteem, maintaining a sleep, work and rest schedule, and a balanced diet.
Prevention and prognosis
Knowing what dysthymia is, we can conclude: it is difficult to predict what will happen to the patient next. However, it is worth noting that the treatment methods described above significantly improve his condition. Therefore, the prognosis is generally favorable.
It should be mentioned here that in some cases there is resistance to treatment of dysthymia. That is, the person seems to be following all the doctor’s instructions, but there is no improvement. Why is this happening? There are several reasons:
- inaccurate diagnosis;
- incorrect dosage of medications;
- insufficiently long course of treatment;
- the patient’s reluctance to continue treatment, independent dosage reduction, etc.;
- anxiety, constant stress;
- insufficient effectiveness of drugs;
- side effects from treatment.
Concomitant psychiatric disorders and too early an age at onset of dysthymia may also slow recovery.
As for prevention, it is difficult to say whether the onset of dysthymic disorder can be prevented. The only thing psychologists can advise is to devote enough time to rest and relaxation. It is recommended to do yoga, meditate, and, if possible, devote time to sports.
Dysthymia test
We suggest taking a fairly simple test that will help you determine whether you have dysthymia. So, read the questions and give yourself one point for each positive answer.
Questions
:
- Does it take a lot of effort to make you happy?
- Do you often notice that you are in a depressed mood?
- When you smile, don't you always actually feel happy?
- Do you find it difficult to switch off from all your worries and start having fun?
- Do your everyday life go by without expecting any joys from life?
- Do you tend to be pessimistic about your own life?
- Do you often think about something unpleasant?
- Do you think your life is very difficult?
- Do you consider your own life to be meaningless?
- Do you lose your temper easily and despair when you fail?
- Do you often feel guilty?
- Is your conscience tormenting you because of past mistakes?
- Can you be called an insecure person?
- When talking about your failures, do you feel ashamed and uncomfortable?
- Do you not really like to talk a lot and prefer to remain silent in conversations?
- Are you cool with telling jokes?
- Do you feel discomfort when being in the company of confident and happy people?
- Is sunny weather not having any positive effect on your overall mood?
Now count up all positive answers in points
:
- 0-11
– you don’t have to worry about having dysthymia. - 11-14
– you are close to dysthymia or its initial stage. - 15-18
– you undoubtedly have dysthymia, which can turn into serious depression, so be sure to take action.
