Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a Greek term that means “poor state of mind” or “bad humor.” It is one of the two primary types of clinical depression and has fewer or less severe symptoms than major depression but lasts longer. The American Psychiatric Association defines dysthymia as having a depressed mood for at least two years with at least two of the following symptoms: poor appetite or overeating; insomnia or excessive sleep; low energy or fatigue; low self-esteem; poor concentration or indecisiveness; and hopelessness.
Symptoms
- Many symptoms of dysthymia and severe depression are naturally shared, including a sad mood, disrupted sleep, low energy, and impaired focus.
- Parallel symptoms include dysthymia’s poor appetite, low self-esteem, and hopelessness, which match major depression’s more severe symptoms of weight shift, excessive guilt, and thoughts of death or suicide.
- Anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) and psychomotor symptoms are two symptoms that are not included in the usual diagnosis of dysthymia (chiefly lethargy or agitation).
Some of the common dysthymia symptoms include:
- Feeling defeated
- Self-esteem issues
- Constant sadness
- fatigue and a lack of energy
- Feeling incompetent
- Difficulties focusing and making judgments
- Irritability or rage-filled outbursts
- Guilt and shame feelings
- Obesity or a lack of appetite
- Sleep issues
Treatment
- Most dysthymic individuals benefit from therapies such as talk therapy and medication. Talking about your thoughts with a trained counselor might help you make sense of them. You also learn to deal with the factors creating or exacerbating your disease.
- Dysthymia can also be treated with various antidepressant medications that work by altering the chemical equilibrium in your brain. It increases the synthesis of mood-regulating chemicals such as serotonin. The appropriate antidepressant can considerably relieve dysthymia symptoms, but finding the perfect one might take time.
If you are searching for a reliable dysthymia treatment, contact or book an online appointment with Clearview Behavioral Health Solutions & Counseling Services, PLLC now.