Dysthymic Disorder is similar Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), with the main difference being that it's not near as bad. One main symptom of Dysthymia is that it goes on for over two years prior to even being diagnosed. Another symptom is erratic sleeping habits, along with erratic eating habits.
Dysthymic Disorder is also associated with the following symptoms:
1) Ability to concentrate is altered - Persons find it hard to focus on things for extended periods and to make decisions that involve any judgment. Short-term memory loss is also experienced.
2) Changes in emotions - Most people say they feel that there's no use in doing the things they used to enjoy, because everything seems so gloomy. Temper tantrums become the norm for some folks, along with feelings of helplessness and that everything is hopeless.
3) Become withdrawn - Many become introverts and avoid all social contact that they can, preferring instead to eat 'comfort food' or perhaps not eat enough food. Some dysthymia victims start neglecting their bodies in ways other than eating poorly - they will stop bathing often enough and brushing their hair, for example.
4) Changes in their bodies - The poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and poor attitude add up to a poor specimen of a human body; tired and run-down is the way a person will feel despite sleeping more than most 'normal' people. After taking longer than normal to fall asleep, they will wake up at the slightest sound or for no reason at all. Some will fall asleep very easy and stay asleep for long hours but will still feel run-down and exhausted in the morning, and will have various pains in their joints and muscles.
So How Is Dysthymic Disorder Treated?
Psychiatric treatment used to treat Major Depressive Disorder is also effective for Dysthymic Disorder. The biggest improvement is normally gotten through a combination of drug treatment and professional psychiatric help.
The most promising psychiatric therapy is CBT, or "Cognitive Behavior Therapy." This promises to help with the down-in-the-dumps attitude and severe self-criticism that many with this disease suffer from. CBT is effective in helping the patient determine which of life's problems are important and which ones are insignificant. And when setbacks do occur, the dysthymic person can learn to deal with them.
And finally, problem-solving therapy is often needed to change the areas of a patient's life that are creating stress and making the depression worse. The behavioral therapy is designed to help the person develop more effective coping abilities - while interpersonal therapy helps them to resolve interpersonal relationship problems. - 29881
Dysthymic Disorder is also associated with the following symptoms:
1) Ability to concentrate is altered - Persons find it hard to focus on things for extended periods and to make decisions that involve any judgment. Short-term memory loss is also experienced.
2) Changes in emotions - Most people say they feel that there's no use in doing the things they used to enjoy, because everything seems so gloomy. Temper tantrums become the norm for some folks, along with feelings of helplessness and that everything is hopeless.
3) Become withdrawn - Many become introverts and avoid all social contact that they can, preferring instead to eat 'comfort food' or perhaps not eat enough food. Some dysthymia victims start neglecting their bodies in ways other than eating poorly - they will stop bathing often enough and brushing their hair, for example.
4) Changes in their bodies - The poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and poor attitude add up to a poor specimen of a human body; tired and run-down is the way a person will feel despite sleeping more than most 'normal' people. After taking longer than normal to fall asleep, they will wake up at the slightest sound or for no reason at all. Some will fall asleep very easy and stay asleep for long hours but will still feel run-down and exhausted in the morning, and will have various pains in their joints and muscles.
So How Is Dysthymic Disorder Treated?
Psychiatric treatment used to treat Major Depressive Disorder is also effective for Dysthymic Disorder. The biggest improvement is normally gotten through a combination of drug treatment and professional psychiatric help.
The most promising psychiatric therapy is CBT, or "Cognitive Behavior Therapy." This promises to help with the down-in-the-dumps attitude and severe self-criticism that many with this disease suffer from. CBT is effective in helping the patient determine which of life's problems are important and which ones are insignificant. And when setbacks do occur, the dysthymic person can learn to deal with them.
And finally, problem-solving therapy is often needed to change the areas of a patient's life that are creating stress and making the depression worse. The behavioral therapy is designed to help the person develop more effective coping abilities - while interpersonal therapy helps them to resolve interpersonal relationship problems. - 29881
About the Author:
Do you or someone you know have dysthymic disorder? Lots of people do, but there are also other forms of depression that many people have. Find out more at http://dealwithdepression.org/
