Depression is one of the world's worst illnesses and it affects millions of people around the globe. There are different types of depression and each requires medical attention.
Dysthymia pronounced dis-thi-me-a is a mood disorder characterized by chronic mildly depressed or irritable moods, often accompanied by other symptoms such as eating and sleeping disturbances, fatigue, and poor self-esteem. It is also called a dysthymia disorder.
According to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) an American Psychiatric Association publication which describes the standard criteria for different types of psychiatric disorders.
Their symptoms do not occur for more than two months at a time. This type of depression is persistent but exhibits less severe depressive symptoms than Major Depression.
Dysthymia is a kind of depression that affects a person who is in a near constant depressed mood for at least two years and accompanied by an increased or decreased appetite. Many depressions are the result of unfulfilled desires in life, of crippling fears that holds a person back from accomplishing anything worthwhile in life.
In this particular type of depression, dysthymia makes the despondent person either have difficulty sleeping, or their sleep patterns are increased. When the person sleeps too much they become fatigued, sluggish and suffer from low energy.
When a person suffers from dysthymia, procrastination sets in when it comes to daily tasks being completed, if started at all. They will have difficulty concentrating on what they are doing. Making decisions on a daily basis becomes a tiresome and frustrating chore and as a result nothing gets completed because they cannot make up their minds.
They may feel that their life is hopeless and useless because their self-esteem is at an all time low. Guilt may set in because of their inability to function, and because tasks didn't get done.
The consequences of dysthymia can be grave if left untreated and can include severe functional impairment, increased morbidity from physical disease, and increased risk of suicide.
Rarely do we live our lives alone, taking care of our mental health will affect not just us, but our family and friends. Mental health and physical health go hand in hand, strive for a healthy and balanced diet in your life and keeping a healthy weight goes a long way to helping your depression but out. When it comes to mental health, living life to its fullest potential should be our number one goal.
If you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms such as these, encourage them to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
No comments:
Post a Comment