When Sadness Becomes Chronic: Dysthymia

We have all been through a difficult time, when grief overwhelms us and negative thoughts force us to rethink certain aspects of our life. But do you know about dysthymia?

Sometimes just going through these moments makes us learn and acquire new coping strategies.

But what if this state of sadness was continuous? What if this inner discomfort, this grief and this discouragement do not find a solution and sink us a little more every day?

In this case, we would be talking about a disorder called dysthymia, something which is different from classic depression and which is interesting to know about.

We invite you to read this article to better understand this type of suffering.

What is dysthymia?

It is a type of depression, but with affective and emotional nuances that the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) has established as persistent depressive disorder.

It is a state of constant sadness and discouragement. There are no better or worse times, but usually this negative emotional feeling lasts for two years or more.

We explain the main characteristics to you:

• This type of disorder almost never depends on “external factors”, that is, it is not necessary to have suffered a loss or a deception to fall into this type of depression.
  The origin is biological and almost always hereditary. It usually affects women.
• This suffering seems to appear around the age of 21.
• There are quite serious cases of people who, for example, are unable to take care of themselves and need daily help with eating, using the toilet, etc. These are cases where dysthymia is the most severe.
• Despite having a hereditary component, stress sharpens the feeling of depression even more, so that it is possible to reach a more serious condition, like the one we discussed above.
• Sadness is compounded by bad mood, fatigue, insomnia, eating problems and difficulty concentrating.
• If dysthymia is not treated in time, it can easily drift and turn into “great depression”, that is, an even more serious mental disorder where anger or even suicide attempts can appear.
  This type of problem must therefore be treated as soon as possible.

How is dysthymia treated?

First of all, you should know that dysthymia is a pathology that must be managed throughout life.

However, it is possible to have a good quality of life, as long as you follow the following rules:

• Take anti-depressant drugs
• Follow behavioral and cognitive psychotherapies, as well as group dynamics.
• Count on periodic medical monitoring throughout life.
• Count on good social and personal support.

You should know that above all, the origin of dysthymia is hereditary and therefore, biological.

Almost always, there is a slight alteration in the neurotransmitters of serotonin.

This means that the drugs are effective and that, without a doubt, psychological therapy is of great help.

However, these treatments will need to be followed for most of your life. You will be able to enjoy your daily life, work and achieve your dreams and goals.

People who have been diagnosed with dysthymia should be aware of their problem. And keep a great inner strength to understand what is happening to them.

Indeed, people who are affected must treat this disease. And above all, adequately manage their sources of stress and anxiety. C ar they may suffer if more severe dysthymia.

Remember, if anyone in your family has this disorder, you are at quite a high risk for it as well. Take action, talk to your doctor, and follow the advice we’ve shared with you.

To conclude, it is also important that you know the difference between dysthymia and normal depression.

Dysthymia appears around age 21 or earlier. And it is a state of permanent sadness, without any apparent reason to explain this depression.

It lasts between a year and mid to two years and when left untreated it can lead to more severe depression where suicide attempts appear.