Dysthymia is a chronic form of mild depression that can progress to major depression if left untreated. Symptoms include a loss of interest or ability in different areas of life, cravings, a lack of ability to concentrate, and low motivation. Treatment includes antidepressants and psychotherapy.
Dysthymia is a form of chronic mild depression, but it can progress to major depression if left untreated. The symptoms of dysthymia are not as severe as those of major depression, but they tend to last longer and can negatively affect a person’s life. If symptoms are recognized and addressed promptly, people with dysthymia can recover with effective treatment.
In most healthy people, mood tends to fluctuate from positive to negative and vice versa over time, but has a stable mean baseline. Those with dysthymia, on the other hand, tend to have lower than average baseline mood. In fact, the word “dysthymia” means “bad mood” or “melancholy”. Symptoms of the condition tend to focus on a loss of interest or ability in different areas of life.
One of the primary physical symptoms of dysthymia involves cravings, which manifests as a loss of appetite or a tendency to overeat. Foods high in sugar provide the brain with an increase in serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of happiness and well-being. Without adequate amounts of this neurotransmitter, depression can occur. Overeating due to dysthymia can lead to feelings of shame and negativity, further driving the patient into depression. Eating regular, nutrient-rich meals and snacks can combat this tendency.
A lack of ability to concentrate or focus on tasks, constant feelings of lethargy, and lack of motivation are other symptoms of dysthymia. Lethargy and low motivation can result from the self-destructive attitudes associated with dysthymia. The sufferer may be unwilling to attempt new projects or take risks because she feels that attempts are doomed to failure.
Dysthymia sufferers may lose interest in hobbies, health, and social life. Over time, self-esteem decreases because the person feels as if he has accomplished nothing worthwhile. Engaging in self-reprovement thoughts can promote the cycle.
Symptoms of dysthymia by themselves do not indicate the condition. For an official diagnosis, a state of constant mild depression must have persisted most of the time for at least two years in adults and for at least one year in children under the age of eighteen. Diagnosis also requires that no major depressive episodes have occurred during the two-year test period. The prevailing sign is an almost constant “low” feeling; along with other symptoms, this often indicates that the person is suffering from the condition. Treatment typically includes a combination of prescribed antidepressants and psychotherapy.
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