Content
Dysthymia, also known as bad mood disease, is a type of chronic and disabling depression that presents mild / moderate symptoms such as sadness, a feeling of emptiness or unhappiness.
However, the biggest characteristic is the daily irritability for at least 2 years in a row, or 1 year in children and adolescents, with some severe depressive crises over time, and it is difficult for the person to say what led him to this state more pronounced depressive.
This disease can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist in conjunction with a psychologist through the person's report and observation of the symptoms presented, from there it will be advised the appropriate treatment, which can be done with the use of antidepressant remedies and psychotherapy.
Main signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of dysthymia can be confused with those of other psychological disorders, and what differs them is the presence of a bad mood and irritability that does not improve, even if the person has moments where it would be possible to feel pleasure or personal achievement. Other signs and symptoms that can be observed are:
- Recurrent negative thoughts;
- Feeling of hopelessness;
- Lack or excess of appetite;
- Lack of energy or fatigue;
- Social isolation;
- Dissatisfaction;
- Insomnia;
- Easy crying;
- Difficulty concentrating.
In some cases there may be poor digestion, muscle pain and headache. If you have two or more symptoms of dysthymia, this test can help clarify the doubt about whether you have the disorder or not:
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Start the test
Do you feel sad more than 4 times a week or do you feel neither happy nor sad almost every day?
- No, never.
- Yes, but this is not very frequent.
- Yes, almost every week.
Do you get sulky even in situations where everyone seems happy?
- No, when others are happy, so am I.
- Yes, I often get in a bad mood.
- Yes, I don't know what it's like to be in a good mood.
Are you critical or very critical often?
- No, I never criticize anyone.
- Yes, but my criticisms are constructive and indispensable.
- Yes, I am very critical, I do not miss an opportunity to criticize and I am very proud of it.
Are you constantly complaining about everything and everyone constantly?
- No, I never complain about anything and my life is a bed of roses.
- Yes, I complain when I think it is necessary or I am very tired.
- Yes, I usually complain about everything and everyone, almost daily.
Do you find everything boring and boring?
- No, never.
- Yes, I often wanted to be somewhere else.
- Yes, I am rarely satisfied with things and I wanted to be doing something else more interesting.
Do you feel tired daily?
- No, only when I'm really working hard.
- Yes, I often feel tired, even though I haven't done anything all day.
- Yes, I feel tired every day, even when I'm on vacation.
Do you consider yourself a pessimistic person?
- No, I'm quite optimistic and I can see the good in things.
- Yes, I have some difficulty finding the good in something bad.
- Yes, I am a pessimist and I always think that everything will go wrong, even if there is a lot of effort involved.
Do you sleep a lot or have trouble sleeping?
- I sleep well and consider that I have a restful sleep.
- I like to sleep, but sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep.
- I don't think I get enough rest, sometimes I sleep many hours, sometimes I have trouble sleeping well.
Do you think you are being wronged?
- No, I never worry about that.
- Yes, I often think that I am wronged.
- Yes, I am almost always thinking: This is not fair.
Do you have difficulty making decisions?
- No, never.
- Yes, I often feel lost and I don't know what to decide.
- Yes, I often find it difficult to make up my mind and I need help from others.
Do you tend to isolate yourself?
- No, never because I enjoy being with family or friends.
- Yes, but only when I get upset.
- Yes, almost always because it is very difficult for me to be with other people.
Are you easily annoyed?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, I almost always get angry and upset about everything and everyone.
Are you very critical of yourself?
- No, never.
- Yes, sometimes.
- Yes, almost always.
Are you always dissatisfied with something?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Are you too rigid or inflexible?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Do you have low self-esteem?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Do you only see the negative side of things?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Do you take everything personally?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Do you have a hard time feeling happy and satisfied?
- No, never.
- Yes many times.
- Yes, almost always.
Possible causes
The causes of dysthymia are not fully known, but it is suspected that it may be related to environmental, emotional, trauma, hormonal changes in the brain and even genetic factors, such as having more than one family member affected by the disorder.
In addition, the individual's temperament and day-to-day stressful situations can influence and aggravate the dysthymic condition leading to the development of major depression. Know the signs of major depression and how treatment is done.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis must be made by the psychiatrist or psychologist through observation of symptoms and reports on the person's behavior. It is necessary that the constant depressive mood is present for at least 2 years.
Due to the fact that it is difficult to identify the symptoms, since the dysthymia is not as severe as the depression, that is, the intensity of the symptoms is lighter, coupled with the fact that it can be confused with an anxiety disorder, for example, the diagnosis can be even more complicated, causing the person not to receive treatment early.
How treatment is done
Treatment for dysthymia is done through psychotherapy sessions and in some cases, with the use of antidepressant drugs, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine or imipramine, under prescription and guidance from the psychiatrist, who will help with the hormonal disorder of the body. , if necessary for treatment.
Psychotherapy sessions are of great help in cases of dysthymia, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, as the person trains to find the circumstances that trigger the symptoms of dysthymia and thus structure an appropriate emotional response for each situation, by reflecting on the advantages of facing the problems with realistic thoughts.
Lifestyle and home remedies
The change in lifestyle is not a substitute for psychiatric and psychological treatment, but it can be a complement, as actions of self-care and commitment of the person such as following the treatment plan proposed by the professional, learning deeply about the disorder, avoiding the consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs and the use of meditative practices have excellent results for psychological issues, such as dysthymia.
In addition, using home remedies such as valerian, chamomile, melissa and lavender teas, which are natural tranquilizers, can help reduce the symptoms caused by dysthymia, it is also one of the alternatives to complement the treatment. However, it is important to inform the psychiatrist that you intend to use teas, and consult a herbalist so that the correct dose necessary to obtain the expected effect can be indicated. See how to prepare teas with soothing properties.
Home remedies are not a substitute for medical and psychotherapeutic treatment and, therefore, should only be used as a complement.
Can bad mood disease be cured?
Dysthymia is curable and can be achieved with the use of antidepressant medications prescribed by the psychiatrist and with the accompaniment of a psychologist. The treatment of dysthymia is done individually and therefore it is not possible to stipulate minimum or maximum time for the duration.