DYSTHYMIA

DYSTHYMIA

Dysthymia is a continuous long-term (chronic) form of depression. You may lose interest in normal daily activities, feel hopeless, lack of productivity, and have low self-esteem and an overall feeling of inadequacy. These feelings last for years and may significantly interfere with your relationships, work and daily activities. If you have persistent depressive disorder, you may find it hard to be upbeat even on happy occasions, you may be described as having a gloomy personality, constantly complaining or incapable of having fun. Though persistent depressive disorder is not as severe as major depression, your current depressed mood may be mild, moderate or severe.

(PERSISTENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER)

Symptoms

Persistent depressive disorder symptoms usually come and go over a period of years, and their intensity can change over time. But typically symptoms don’t disappear for more than two months at a time. In addition, major depression episodes may occur before or during persistent depressive disorder- this is sometimes called double depression. Loss of interests in daily activities and hopelessness. Low selfesteem, self-criticism or feeling incapable and difficulty making decisions are also symptoms of persistent depressive disorder. When one is avoiding social activities and decreased activity, effectiveness and productivity.

Causes

Causes of persistent depressive disorder isn’t known. As with major depression, it may involve more than one cause, such as: biological differences, brain chemistry, inherited traits and life events.