Dysthymia: Functioning with a Dysfunctional Condition
Depression comes in all shapes and sizes, but let’s face it, it’s an unwanted condition in all forms. Fortunately, there are less severe forms, like dysthymia (or chronic depression). Though this depression is less severe, it is still not a fleeting feeling.
In fact, dysthymia can last for two years or longer, according to www.medicinenet.com. This might still be considered less severe than other forms of depression, like major depressive disorder, since a person who has dysthymia can still function normally for the most part. However, according to the Web site, sufferers might seem “consistently unhappy.”
One Web site, www.healthyplace.com, calls dysthymia “minor depression.” This further proves the fact that dysthymia is considered less severe than other forms of depression, though sufferers would beg to differ.
According to the Web site, dysthymia’s main difference from clinical depression is that sufferers don’t need to go to the hospital and can function properly and go to work. Pretty much, these people suffer a great burden while also tackling on normal activities daily.
As a sufferer of depression, I know what this burden means. Although I was never actually told what type of depression I have, I assume it’s between dysthymia and major depressive disorder, since I can still function for the most part and am not in danger of being hospitalized.
Personally, I think people take depression a lot lighter when a person is not hospitalized and seems to be doing fine but is just pessimistic or melancholy. This is not necessarily beneficial to sufferers. All forms of depression should be treated seriously to some extent.
Dysthymia comes with all the general depression symptoms, though they might be less debilitating than those experienced by major depression sufferers. Some of these syptoms are insomnia, oversleeping, fatigue, feelings of despair, over or under eating and poor nutrition in general, hopelessness, and others, according to Psychology Today’s Web site.
Apparently, people with dysthymia are known to have at least one major depressive episode, according to the Web site.
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Rheyanne,
What an interesting and informative post. As someone else who has dealt with depression, I am always eager to learn something new about it. Dysthymia is something I haven't known much about , but I will do more research now. Thank you!
December 11, 2009 - 8:37amThis Comment