What Should I Know Now That I Am Diagnosed With Dysthymia?

Published September 25, 2013

Question by : What should I know now that I am diagnosed with Dysthymia?
I am only 14 and I have been dealing with depression for nearly 4 years. I was just recently diagnosed with dysthymic disorder. I don’t know too much about it besides that all the symptoms point straight to my personality and I will most likely be on medication soon. Is anyone else dealing with it? Why do they call it mild depression? I don’t know whats so “mild” about it… Will I have it my whole life? Please help!

Best answer:

Answer by severus
It is good that you are getting treatment and that your condition is now diagnosed. It is mild depression, less severe than clinically severe depression. But to you, it is depression, and the concomitant symptoms, certainly not as good as having no condition.

Hopefully, the treatment plan will alleviate the sadness and allow you to lead a normal life. If the medication isn’t working, they would adjust it. They monitor it, probably every two months after you begin to take it. To answer your lest question, not the asking for help, but if you will have it your whole life, I want you to think about your earliest memories. If they were happy or sad or neutral. That might tell you if you have actually had this from several years of age or not.

As to your whole life, proceed to learn social skills, make friends, study hard, go to school, get a job, get married, have children, plan for the future and all the while get the support you might need. I cannot predict your future state of mind.

If I had to speculate, I would guess it would be an ongoing problem, and that I would hope you do not feel incumbent upon yourself to reveal your history to everyone you meet; and also, do not self medicate, nor get in with the wrong crowd.

When you next visit the psychiatrist, ask him/her these specific questions. Make sure your doctor addresses you by your given name and makes eye contact. You want answers and shouldn’t have to ask strangers, when the expert has done the intake and determined the diagnosis and treatment plan based on your affect and responses plus interviews with your parents. Speak up and talk about all of the above that you presented here. Depression can manifest itself in a variety of ways, even if it seems to subside with the RX. Follow the instructions for taking if you do get a prescription. If it is to be taken during the day, a container must be given to the school nurse. Only that person can administer the medication. Don’t take anything during school hours on your own. Your parents must notify the school of your state of mind, but all of that will be private and won’t change any classes or require being pulled out during the day. It is just that you cannot carry around meds in school by law.

Answer by J
There are an estimated 9 to 18 MILLION people in the U.S. with dysthymia. You definitely should not feel alone. That’s about 3% to 6% of the population. It is more common in females than in males. It’s only called “mild” depression because it is less severe than a diagnosis of “major depression,” not because experts don’t think it’s a serious problem.

Will you have it your whole life? Dysthymia is a chronic condition that lasts many years. Though some people completely recover, others continue to have some symptoms, even with treatment. I want you to know that I don’t say this to be discouraging (because I know that is particularly not helpful to you) but because I think you deserve a straight answer. Having the facts can lead to more realistic expectations, less disappointment, and better treatment outcomes.

Although it is not as severe as major depression, dysthymia symptoms can affect a person’s ability to function in their family, and at work or school.

It’s also important for you to be aware that dysthymia also increases the risk for suicide.

To get a proper diagnosis you have to display the main symptom of dysthymia, which is a low, dark, or sad mood on most days for at least 2 years. In children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable instead of depressed and may last for at least 1 year.

In addition, two or more of the following symptoms will be present almost all of the time that the person has dysthymia:

-Feelings of hopelessness
-Too little or too much sleep
-Low energy or fatigue
-Low self-esteem
-Poor appetite or overeating
-Poor concentration

In terms of treatment, there are several medications that are administered to people with dysthymic disorder and some types of talk therapy can help, as well.

The following medications are most frequently used to treat dysthymia:
-Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the drugs most commonly used for dysthymia. They include: fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox), citalopram (Celexa), and escitalopram (Lexapro).

-Other antidepressants used to treat dysthymia include: serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), bupropion (Wellbutrin), tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Talk therapy is a good place to talk about feelings and thoughts, and most importantly, to learn ways to deal with them. Types of talk therapy include:

-Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches depressed people ways of correcting negative thoughts. People can learn to be more aware of their symptoms, learn what seems to make depression worse, and learn problem-solving skills. (Statistically the most effective type for many depressive disorders.)

-Insight-oriented or psychodynamic psychotherapy can help people with depression understand the psychological factors that may be behind their depressive behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. (Somewhat effective for most people but less likely to produce long term lasting results by itself.)

-Joining a support group of people who are experiencing problems like yours can also help. Ask your therapist or health care provider for a recommendation. If you’re feeling alone this could be an important aspect of your therapy.

I hope this helps.

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Neuroscience based Cognitive therapy – Presentazione del libro Neuroscience based cognitive therapy di Tullio Scrimali con intervista ad Arthur Freeman.