Last update: January 20, 2015
Dysthymia is a mild form of depression. Dysthymic disorder could be placed at one end of the spectrum of depression and the more severe depressive disorder at the other end.
The term dysthymia comes from the Greek "sick mood". People suffering from dysthymia can go on with their lives for years without treating the problem in any way. At the sight of the others they are just people a little dejected. However, the truth is that it is a true affective disorder and people who suffer from it usually respond well to treatment.
Who is affected?
Dysthymic disorder affects approximately 1,5 percent of the population; as well as other emotional conditions, women with this disorder are slightly superior to men.
It is very important not to confuse a period of sadness with dysthymia, as any person can feel sad at some point in their life, for various reasons, and this is normal. However, for a state of melancholy to be considered a dysthymic disorder, it must occur every day, for at least two years.
How does it manifest itself?
The most obvious signs of dysthymia patients are sadness and melancholy. In general, it is very difficult for them to find happiness and be satisfied with the activities of daily life. They often have low self-esteem and have difficulty making decisions.
Fatigue and low energy consumption also accompany this disorder. Sleep and eating rhythms are also very often affected. In relation to rest, people with dysthymia may suffer from insomnia or, conversely, sleep more than normal. As for food, however, there may be episodes of compulsive intake or, vice versa, an evident lack of appetite.
Another very obvious difficulty concerns memory and concentration skills, which can be seriously damaged. It is also common for people with dysthymia to progressively isolate themselves, which in some cases can result in a social inability and in extreme cases even in the phobia of being in the company of other people.
What is its origin?
Researchers are still unsure about the exact cause of the dysthymic disorder. Although it may be a genetic factor, current thinking seems to be heading more towards social isolation, personal failures and situations of constant stress.
The only certain factor in dysthymia is that three quarters of patients have some other chronic problem such as a physical illness, substance abuse problem, or some other psychiatric disorder. Doctors and therapists often have difficulty determining exactly what comes first, dysthymia or other disease, because the onset lines usually only blurred.
What does the treatment consist of?
The options for treating the dysthymic disorder initially convert into deep work with the patient to determine the underlying cause. Some of the modalities that have been shown to be effective include psychotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
There are also pharmacological options for dysthymic disorder, which include drugs that can greatly help patients with dysthymia.
In any case, talking about the problems with the patient is very beneficial and helps dispel any myths that may harbor in the patient's mind, such as feelings of worthlessness. The cure also focuses on the fact that the person can learn to manage their emotions correctly.
In addition to individual therapy, too group therapy helps to rebuild the patient's lost trust and to fuel his / her social interaction skills.
What are the differences with depression?
- A person with dysthymia can lead a fairly normal life, despite the sadness they feel. Conversely, a person with depression cannot do this. We see, therefore, that the main difference concerns the inability that the person acquires.
- In dysthymia there is no lack of interest or the inability to feel pleasure.
- There is no agitation or motor slowness.
- There are no thoughts of suicide typical of depressive pictures.
- There is no recurring thought of death.
Obviously, a safe diagnosis can only be made by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist. If you think you suffer from dysthymia or you know someone in this situation, then, the best thing to do is to seek help from a professional as soon as possible; untreated dysthymia could lead to depression, a disorder that can certainly have more serious consequences
Images courtesy of Gabriele Negri
