Last update: July 31, 2015
A person that suffer from dysthymia does not feel the immense emptiness typical of depression, a disease that triggers enormous pain, but lives clinging to a suffering that does not understand, dominated by a sadness that oppresses her day by day, without understanding the reason.
Bad mood, tiredness, malaise, apathy,… What is happening to us? We go to the doctor, who gives us the prescription to buy vitamins; there is nothing else to do, since during the common visits to the general practitioner it is rare that dysthymia can be diagnosed at first glance. Its signs, in fact, are not as easily identifiable as those of depression, because it is a very different and mysterious disorder, which devours people's lives through melancholy and apathy, isolating and disorienting them.
The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), has replaced the term "dysthymia" with a somewhat more complex and precise, such as "Persistent Depressive Disorder"; although this name gives more information on the aspects of this disorder, it must be said that, nowadays, the triggering factors are not yet clear. It can be said that, among these, there are undoubtedly a genetic and a biochemical factor.
A life with dysthymia, an invisible enemy
It is curious to think that, nowadays, many people suffer from this lifelong depressive disorder (new name for dysthymia) without knowing it. The reason is the fact that symptoms, in general, are not as limiting as those of depression, for example.
A person can continue to be perfectly functional while this sadness clings to his back and suffocates his heart and mind, he can go to work and create more or less acceptable relationships; however, something is wrong, because the subject feels that something inside him is not working properly and that life is a burden to him.
Where do apathy, despair and this unbearable fatigue come from? There are days when we feel indefinite anger without knowing its origin, weeks go by and we don't want to do anything but sleep and flee people. At other times, we are so self-critical that we can't even tolerate seeing our reflection in the mirror.
We find it difficult to make decisions e we turn into that kind of melancholy friend to which everyone has already become accustomed, because now we have been like this for a long time, with a wounded soul. In fact, it is known that dysthymia affects women much more often than men and that, in general, these feelings of sadness begin to manifest themselves from the age of 21.
It is important to know that a dysthymia is not diagnosed, and therefore not treated, it can degenerate into severe depression, especially if, at some point in our life, we experience moments of strong stress or anxiety. Emotional burden can be a very dangerous trigger and can lead to early suicide attempts; therefore, this is not something to be underestimated.
How to deal with dysthymia?
Dysthymia is a chronic depressive type of affective disorder; therefore, drug treatment combined with psychological therapy is required. Is it possible to overcome it?
There are many people who succeed. Since, as we have explained to you, it is a generally chronic disorder, the purpose is to monitor negative emotions in order to obtain a good quality of life; if we see it this way, yes, it is possible to overcome it.
Consider these aspects:
- If there is a relative in your family with dysthymia, the chances of you suffering from it too are very high. Although this disorder usually occurs from the age of 21, it is important that the whole family pay attention to the symptoms and possible isolation of the youngest and take care of their motivation and self-esteem.
- Be aware that negative emotions will be persistent unwanted guests who will look forward to settling inside you against your will. Face them. You already know that, in this case, the biochemistry of your brain can be the trigger for your sadness; consequently, look around you and realize that there is nothing to be desperate, angry or frightened about.
- Get excited and hope, passions are very important so that your daily routine is marked by joy. Having habits that, on a daily basis, push you to cultivate relationships and leave the house is essential. Be sociable, walk, wait, breathe, laugh, write, fill yourself with positive feelings and remove the suffering that dysthymia ignites in its victims. Do not allow her to subjugate you.
Image courtesy of Cristian Schloe
