Continuous sadness, could be dysthymia

Continuous sadness, it could be dysthymia Copy Cwp April 8, 2018 No Comments Today I have decided to touch on an important topic, of which not all of us are aware. Have you ever heard of dysthymia? Paula Aorca tells us a little about what Dysthymia is about, when melancholy takes over life. Dysthymia is a mild form of depression. Dysthymic disorder could be placed at one end of the depression spectrum. While the most serious depressive disorder would be found at the other extreme. The term dysthymia comes from the Greek, “disturbed mood.” People who suffer from dysthymia can go on with their lives for years without being treated in any way. To anyone’s view they are simply somewhat dejected people. However, the truth is that it is a true affective disorder. And people who suffer from it usually respond very well to treatment. Who is affected? Dysthymic disorder affects approximately 1.5 percent of the population and as with other emotional conditions, women are slightly more affected than men. It is very important not to confuse a specific period of sadness with dysthymia, since anyone can feel sad during some stage of their life, due to different reasons and this is normal. But for a state of melancholy to be considered a dysthymic disorder, it must occur every day, for at least two years. How does it manifest? The most noticeable signs experienced by dysthymic patients are sadness and melancholy. In general, they find it very difficult to find happiness and satisfaction with the activities of daily life. They often have low self-esteem and difficulty making decisions. The fatigue a and low energy consumption also accompany this disorder. Very often, sleeping and eating patterns will also be affected. In relation to rest, people with dysthymia may suffer from insomnia, or sleep more than usual. And as for food, there may be episodes of compulsive eating or, on the contrary, a clear lack of appetite. Another very common difficulty has to do with memory and concentration abilities, which can be seriously affected. It is also common for people with dysthymia to begin to progressively isolate themselves, which can sometimes lead to a social inability and even a phobia of being accompanied by other people. What is its origin? Researchers are still not sure about the exact cause of dysthymic disorder. While it may be a genetic component, current thinking seems to lean more toward social isolation, personal setbacks, and ongoing stressful situations. The unique characteristic of dysthymia is that more than three-quarters of patients have some other chronic problem such as a physical illness, a substance abuse problem, or another type of psychiatric disorder. Doctors and therapists often have difficulty determining exactly what came first, the dysthymia or the other illness, because the lines of onset are often blurry. What does the treatment consist of? Options for treating early-onset dysthymic disorder 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. There are also pharmaceutical options for dysthymic disorder, including medications medications that can provide important help to patients with dysthymia. In any case, talking about problems with the patient is very beneficial and helps dispel any myths they may be harboring, such as feelings of worthlessness. Treatment also focuses on helping the person learn to manage their emotions appropriately. In addition to individual therapy, group therapy also helps build the patient’s lost confidence and fuel their social interaction skills. What are the differences with depression? A person with dysthymia can lead a fairly normal life, despite the sadness they experience. On the contrary, a person with depression cannot do it. Thus we see that the main difference refers to the level of incapacity that the person acquires. In dysthymia there is no lack of interest or the ability to experience pleasure. There is no agitation or motor slowness. The thoughts of suicide typical of depressive symptoms do not occur. There is no presence of recurring ideas around death. Obviously, an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a properly qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. Therefore, if you think you may be suffering from dysthymia, or know someone in that situation, it is best to seek professional help as soon as possible, since untreated dysthymia can lead to depression, a disorder that can have more serious consequences.