Depression can straight up be a nasty son of a bitch that can sneak up on you like a shady robber in the middle of the night when you’re not looking. But instead of taking your money, he takes what’s even more valuable….your HAPPINESS!
Depression shows no discrimination against anybody, and the effects it can have on one’s life can be dishabilitating on many levels for not only the sufferer but on their family and friends.
There are many types of depression from Bipolar disorders to being clinically depressed, that it can be hard to know which category you fit into as experiences will vary depending on the individual.
The type of depression that we will address today is not the typical bad day “she’ll be right” scenario; But rather a type of chronic depression called persistent depressive disorder that is also known as dysthymia.
What is Dysthymia?
Dysthymia is defined as “a mood disorder consisting of the same cognitive and physical problems like depression, with less severe but longer-lasting symptoms”.
Although it is implied that dysthymia is less serve than other episodic forms of major depression, we simply can’t ignore the serious effects it may have on one’s life due to the nature of dysthymia being a long-term condition. Sufferers from this condition can go about their day to day routines, but dysthymia has its challenges.
Dysthymia can also:
- Mentally and physically drain your energy which causes fatigue.
- Can be prone to a double dose of depression which is where an extreme episode of major depression (also known as clinical depression) is added to the existing dysthymia.
- It can linger around you on a daily basis typically lasting two years or more. This can hold you back from thriving in all areas in life like relationships, career development, personal growth, financial gains and of course the ability to be genuinely happy.
Not only can dysthymia lead to an episode of major depression but it has its risks that can lead to suicide.
How Do I Know This?
John Morin Photography
I know this because I have had my own struggle with dysthymia since I was a little girl. I grew up fortunate with the most loving and supportive family I could ever ask for. Yet still, this form of depression robbed me of enjoying even the happiest of moments.
During my life, I would also get hit with a double dose where I would experience suicidal thoughts and utter helplessness. I would gravitate towards alcohol to numb the pain, which in return made me feel worse. Some days I couldn’t even move let alone talk and have the energy to pour a drink.
Not fully understanding this condition was very dangerous in my teenage years. To numb the pain again, I overdosed on codeine, not quite understanding that those cry for help actions could have killed me if I didn’t get to the hospital in time.
If I were out in public while this condition was at its strongest, I would put on my happy bubbly mask and try to fit in with the “normal” people. But deep inside an internal war was happening that sometimes I just could not suppress, which lead to withdrawing myself from social occasions.
It wasn’t until late in life that I became aware of its significant effects on my life and the people I cared about the most. Let alone did I know this type of depression had the name dysthymia.
Living in the daily darkness of dysthymia and depression is a scary and vulnerable place to be. I use to describe it as a grey cloud that hovered over my forehead constantly, making it difficult to see the sunny side of life. That grey cloud turned into a storm when a double dose would hit, and I would feel like I was sinking deeper into a giant pool of mud, with no way out.
Over time I found a way out and no longer have to put on as many masks, but I wish I addressed this condition a lot earlier. Hence why I’m writing this article, to spread awareness that could help prevent potential suicides and unnecessary prolonged suffering. (Especially in the teenage years).
Teen Suicides
The ages of 15 to 24 are more vulnerable to self-harm and in 2014 suicide was ranked as the second leading cause of death of those ages in the United States. This implies there’s a huge demand for mental health awareness in our schools, to address these conditions early.
Dysthymia Is A Long Term Condition
Dysthymia is subtle, persistent, and usually lasts for years. Therefore one of the most terrifying side effects of dysthymia is that it can make you feel complacent and accepting of this condition, as you have lived with it for so long, you just think it’s who you are.
But it’s not who you are! And when you realize that it’s not who you are and taste what it can be like out of the dark hole, you’ll know it’s a place worth fighting for.
There is always hope and with a bit of education and support, this type of depression can be managed.
Who Can Suffer From Dysthymia?
Firstly people who suffer any kind of depression don’t go around with “I’m depressed ” tattooed on their forehead wanting a pity party. In fact, some of the kindest, giving and smiley people from all walks of life will have this condition, and it can start from an early age.
According to the National Alliance On Mental Illness, this common depressive disorder affects 16 million Americans and 75% will experience a major depressive episode known as double depression.
What Are The Causes Of Dysthymia?
Depression types of all kinds including dysthymia will have various effects that depend on the individual as all cases are not a one fits all scenario. Although there is no specific evidence of what causes dysthymia or the different types of depression, some causes could be:
- Inherited
- Brain balance chemistry
- Major life events/difficult circumstances
- Biological
What Are The Signs Of Dysthymia?
For someone who hasn’t experienced depression or dysthymia, it can not only be hard to understand but seeing the signs of dysthymia in someone can be subtle, misunderstood, and be easily missed. Therefore we must acknowledge what they are, in order to gain a better understanding that empowers the sufferer and the family and friends that are affected.
Let’s take a look at the signs.
Here Are 12 signs Of Dysthymia You Must Watch Out For:
1. They Are Withdrawn.
“Nobody ever tells you that emptiness weighs the most”.- Unknown
It’s natural to want your own space at times, but watch out for someone who is excessively withdrawing themselves on a constant basis.
They will also show no motivation to do any activities, they won’t feel social and may find it hard to feel happy even in the most celebrated moments.
2. They Are Irritable And Moody.
“My moods don’t swing, they bounce, pivot, recoil, rebound, oscillate, fluctuate and occasionally pirouette.”- Unknown
A person with depression or dysthymia may experience a short-temper, be impatient, and can have inconsistent mood swings that may seem unpredictable.
When these mood swings happen, they might also feel like withdrawing themselves even more. This could be a result of not wanting to hurt a loved one while a mood swing hits, as this can cause them more pain, guilt, shame, and sorrow.
3. A Loss Of Appetite.
“What people don’t understand is that depression isn’t about the outside, it’s about the inside“.- Jasmine Warga
Unhealthy eating habits may develop. They may overeat or struggle to eat anything at all that will result in losing or gaining a significant amount of weight.
4. They Have Chronic Fatigue
“Sleep just isn’t sleep anymore. It’s an escape”.- Unknown
A person with depression can feel consistently tired, drained and lack the energy that prevents them from being productive. They are also prone to unhealthy sleeping patterns like insomnia or they will want to sleep excessively.
5. They Experience Negative Thoughts
“I think the saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that- Robin Williams.
A person who suffers from dysthymia or depression can tend to have a pessimistic view of life. They may tend to dwell in the negatives which will weigh them down spiritually and emotionally which causes them to vibrate on a lower energy frequency.
This negative energy can also be transparent in how they present themselves physically. ie body language, poor posture, and the tone of their voice.
6. Low Confidence And Self-Worth
“Self-esteem is as important to our well-being as legs are to a table. It is essential for physical and mental health and for happiness.”- Louise Hart
A by-product of chronic depression can affect one’s self-confidence and self-worth. As a result of low confidence, they may tend to second guess themselves, put others first and not feel worthy enough to allow great abundance in their life.
7. They May Feel Disconnected And Numb To Life
“Depression is being colorblind, and constantly told how colorful the world is”.- Unknown
They may seem to have a disconnection and numbness towards life. It’s like they are sleepwalking with no real engagement and connection to the present moment. They may be physically here, but a part of their mind will be somewhere else.
8.A Lack Of Concentration
“I’m not lazy. I’m just exhausted from fighting my way through every single day.” – Mimi Love
A person with chronic depression may experience short-term memory loss, be easily distracted, experience fog brain, find it difficult to make decisions, and will have trouble concentrating for long periods of time.
9. Physical Aches And Pains
“Not all wounds are visible”- The Fresh Quotes
Depression can also manifest onto the physical body which includes general aches and pains to joint pain and gastrointestinal problems.
10. They Don’t Want To Leave Their Bed.
“It feels like everyone else is moving on with there lives, while I’m stuck here in this hole I can’t get out of”.- Unknown
A chronically depressed person or a dysthymia sufferer will have those days where they don’t want to get out of bed for no significant reason. They are not excited about what opportunities may arise for the day, and the thought of taking a shower is a huge struggle.
11. They Fill Voids With Substance Abuse
“I drank to drown my pain, but the damned pain learned how to swim”.-Unknown
A person with dysthymia and depression is at risk of filling their voids temporarily or long-term with substances like drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol. Although these substances might make them feel better temporarily, what goes up must come down, and the effects of substance abuse will only make their depression worse.
12. They Experience Suicidal Thoughts
“Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem”.- Unknown
A person experiencing dysthymia or any form of depression can experience dark and negative thoughts about oneself and of course suicidal thoughts as well. (especially when a double dose hits.)
Do We Choose To Have Dysthymia Or Depression?
A dear friend once said to me that depression is just a choice. I had to think long and hard about this bold comment as I began to wonder that it very well could be. Could I have just flipped a switch off with a simple decision this whole time?
But then I remembered showing a lot of these signs mentioned above at a very young age. I thought to myself, could I have consciously chosen to be like this when I was just 5 years old?
Did I imagine the dark cloud that hovered over my forehead on a daily basis for years, the state of mind that also caused great fatigue and emotional discomfort that held me back from living life?
The thought of making a simple choice to not be depressed sounded liberating! And although I do realize that a human mind is a powerful tool that we can master, I still had my doubts.
After my own reflection, experience, and research on this topic, I had come to my own conclusion that it is not a choice. And after talking to my own doctor who manages these cases on a daily basis, she also put it down to a chemical imbalance that can be biological or triggered by an emotional life event.
The Choices We Can Make
We may not have a choice in having a condition such as dysthymia or any form of depression for that matter. However, we do have a choice in how we manage it!
We have a choice to either fall victim to this condition and let it rob us of our happiness or make a choice to put on our fighting armor and go into battle and take our life back.
By making the choice to regain our power and take control we are not only making our lives better, but the ripple effect of our positive actions will have a positive effect on our loved ones as well.
We must try to be aware that it’s not only ourselves who are going through depression, but our loved ones in a way go through it with us. Therefore we must gather the courage and take responsibility that in return will give us the power to manage this condition.
What Are The Solutions?
- Cognitive Behaviour therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which negative patterns of thought about one’s self and the world are challenged in order to alter unwanted behavior patterns or treat mood disorders such as depression. This will involve working with a therapist to challenge your belief systems and identify behaviors that don’t serve you.
- Lifestyle Changes
Observe your lifestyle without judgment and see where there is room to make positive lifestyle changes. These changes could be in your diet, sleeping patterns, where you work, who you hang out with to simply acknowledging you may not be aligned with your desires, values and true potential, therefore realizing you need to ask more of yourself because you are worth it.
- Exercise
Although exercise isn’t a cure, it is extremely beneficial for not only the body but for the mind. Having worked in a gym, I came across a lot of women who not only exercised to get fit but they found it helped there mental state of mind significantly.
- Creative Therapy
Expressing yourself creatively can ignite some major inspiration. Sometimes we can’t express ourselves in words and creative therapy can help you get in touch with your feelings on another level. Whether it’s through art, dance, or music.
- Antidepressants
Antidepressants certainly have their pros and cons. But sometimes meditating under a tree singing kumbaya isn’t going to cut it, and mental illness has to be treated like any other physical condition with medication. With that said, I have never been an advocate for these drugs, but there was a time where I had to give in, and after finding the right one, I must say that it made a difference.
The bottom line is whether the pros outweigh the cons.
The cons can include side effects such as:
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Dry mouth
- Weight gain/weight loss
- And yes would you believe it suicidal thoughts.
The pros can include:
- A balanced mind
- Less irritability and mood swings
- More energy
- More emotional control
- A healthier positive outlook on yourself and life.
- Improved relationships
There are various antidepressants on the market that are helpful and will make a difference in your life. With the help of your doctor and a little trial and error, you can find the right one for you if this is something you think you need.
(A natural alternative to this is St.Johns Wart.)
Honorable Mentions:
There are many options available today, and most of the options listed above can work in conjunction with each other, depending on the individual’s needs. Self-care, self-love, and surrounding yourself with positive support will play a big part in the recovery process, so value yourself by investing some time into solutions that suit you.
As Soy-Ay the comic artist mentions in his story that “It’s OK, not to be OK“. Not every day is going to be sunshine and rainbows, and you know what it’s …..OK.
Ultimately focus on what’s right with you instead of what’s “wrong” with you. Never be ashamed of your story, because your story can inspire and help others.
Conclusion:
No matter how you decide to manage dysthymia or other forms of depression, please always remember you are not alone and there is always hope no matter how dark it gets. Life itself is the ultimate gift, so fight for it. Support is out there for you.:)
For more information and services you can contact please visit the websites below:
New Zealand: mentalhealth.org.nz
America: www.mentalhealthamerica.net
Australia: au.reachout.com
To find your country’s Helpline click here.
Thank you for reading this article! Please share your experiences or tips about depression below. And don’t forget to share this message with your family and friends who might benefit from it.
Disclaimer: Please note that this information has been brought to you by my own experiences and research. Everybody is different and if you think you may need help then please seek professional help to get the correct diagnosis and treatment that works for you.
Emmy is the founder and content writer at woopdedo. With a background in the performing arts, she then had a career working on cruise ships, until she decided to return to NZ where she spends most of her time storytelling and freelance writing. You can contact her on the social media links below or visit the work with us page.
