By We Level Up FL Treatment Center | Editor Yamilla Francese | Clinically Reviewed By Lauren Barry, LMFT, MCAP, QS, Director of Quality Assurance | Editorial Policy | Research Policy | Last Updated: January 30, 2023

Dysthymia Disorder: When to See a Doctor?

Avoid confusing yourself by doing an online dysthymia test, is better to visit your doctor right from the beginning. You might believe these emotions will always be a part of your life if they bother you for a while. However, get medical attention if you have any indications of chronic depression condition.

Consult a mental health professional for assistance or discuss your symptoms with your doctor. Or you can get in touch with someone else who might be able to point you in the direction of treatment. This could be a teacher, a member of your religious community, a friend, or another trusted individual.

Call 911 in the United States or your local emergency number right away if you think you might damage yourself or make an attempt at suicide. Alternatively, call a suicide hotline. To contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in the United States, phone or text 988. Alternatively, use Lifeline Chat. Services are completely free and private. There is a Spanish-speaking phone line for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States at 888-628-9454. (toll-free).

Depression Statistics

It’s critical to understand the distinction between anxiety and depression. Anxiety, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worry, whereas depression, in its most basic form, is an excessive feeling of worthlessness and hopelessness. It is conceivable for someone to experience depression and anxiety simultaneously.

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Major Depressive Disorder Vs Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia Vs Depression)

How Does Persistent Depressive Disorder Compare To Major Depressive Disorder? How Does Persistent Depressive Disorder Compared To Major Depressive Disorder – MDD Vs Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder Dysthymia Vs Major Depression – Dysthymia Vs MDD (Difference Between Mdd And Persistent Depressive Disorder)

You may have a persistent depressive disorder (Chronic Dysthymia) if you experience depression on a regular basis, find it difficult to get through the day, feel hopeless, and experience no respite for weeks on end. Although less severe than major depression, this is a legitimate mental illness that can nonetheless have detrimental effects. Get assistance and a diagnosis by reaching out. Residential care is beneficial.

Major Depression Vs Dysthymia – Major Depressive Disorder Vs Dysthymia (Depression Vs Dysthymia)

Depression is a clinical word that covers a number of subcategories, a description of a mood, and a mental condition. Depression of any kind affects mood and daily functioning. Indicators of depression include symptom kind and duration, age and gender, medical condition, and more. Some examples include:

• Serious, enduring sadness and other symptoms of major depression make it exceedingly challenging to function or enjoy life.
• A milder, longer-lasting, more chronic form of depression is known as persistent depressive disorder.
• Periods of mania, a heightened and dangerously high-energy mood, alternate with bipolar sadness.
• The symptoms of perinatal and postpartum depression, which can range from mild to severe and even life-threatening, appear during and after pregnancy and childbirth.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that manifests in the days or even weeks prior to menstruation.
• Depression brought on by seasonal affective disorder typically occurs in the winter but can also happen in the spring and summer.
• A severe case of depression known as psychotic depression results in hallucinations and delusions.

Major Vs Persistent Depressive Disorder – Persistent Vs Major Depressive Disorder

Daifference Between Persistent And Major Depressive Disorder: other forms of depression are also recognized by mental health specialists, such as situational depression, which happens in response to a significant life event, such as a death. Depression may be brought on by specific conditions or drugs. There are also atypical forms of depression, which don’t always manifest in the same ways as other kinds.

Dysthymia Causes (Persistent Depressive Disorder Causes)

Everyone has the potential to experience depression at any time. 19.4 million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, had at least one major depressive episode in 2019 alone. This roughly corresponds to 7.9% of all adults in America.

A further 2.5 percent of Americans will at some point in their lives develop PDD. PDD’s underlying etiology is unknown. The condition may occur as a result of specific factors. These consist of:

• Imbalances in brain circuitry
• Stressful or traumatic life events, such as the loss of a loved one or financial problems
• Physical brain trauma, such as a concussion

Cyclothymia Vs Dysthymia

Your ability to perform routine duties at home, school, or job is affected by the extreme, unexpected mood swings and energy swings that are brought on by the bipolar disease. Many people believe that cyclothymic disorder is a milder version of bipolar disorder.

You experience brief, transitory episodes of depression that don’t last as long (less than 2 weeks at a time) as in a severe depressive episode when you have a cyclothymic disorder. You also experience low-grade euphoric times (hypomanias). Similar to bipolar II illness, the cyclothymic disorder causes hypomanias that do not develop into full-blown manias. For instance, you might experience an inflated sensation of strength or productivity, but you don’t lose touch with reality. Some people even claim that the “highs” associated with the cyclothymic disorder are nice. 

Persistent Depressive Disorder With Anxious Distress

It is well known that depression and anxiety disorders frequently coexist. In actuality, the majority of researchers concur that they co-occur at least 60% of the time. Because of their close ties, most antidepressants are frequently also useful for treating anxiety, which is strongly correlated with low serotonin levels. Given these details, it should come as no surprise that for some individuals, the beginning of a certain type of anxiety that is consistent with depression occurs during an episode of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

Dysphoria Vs Dysthymia (Dysthymia Vs Dysphoria)

Dysphoria is a psychological state that frequently results from or goes along with a mental health issue. Dysphoria can also be brought on by stress, sadness, poor relationships, and other environmental issues.

Since dysphoria is frequently a mood, it is possible for someone to experience it briefly. Long-term dysphoric moods are also possible in people, and they are frequently closely related to mental health issues that have a negative impact on moods, such as major depression, mania, and cyclothymia.

Dysphoria can also be brought on by health issues and nutritional deficiencies. For instance, patients with hypoglycemia may report experiencing dysphoria, and the strain of a chronic illness can result in unpleasant and frustrating emotions that might be classified as dysphoria.

Dysthymia Treatment: Persistent Depressive Disorder Treatment

Treatments For Dysthymia – Treatment Of Persistent Depressive Disorder

To find an appropriate treatment for your particular circumstance, you might need to experiment with several drugs and dosages. As many drugs take several weeks to fully take effect, patience is needed for this.

If you continue to have questions regarding your medicine, speak with your doctor. Your doctor might advise switching medications or doses. Never stop taking your prescription without first consulting your doctor. Sudden therapy discontinuation or numerous missed doses may result in withdrawal-like symptoms and exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Persistent Depressive Disorder Therapy – Persistent Depressive Disorder Psychotherapy

The best strategy for treating PDD is a mix of medication and psychotherapy. Medical practitioners frequently advise participating in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or psychotherapy.

Sessions with a mental health professional are often part of psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy. These can take place either physically or virtually through phone or video calls. You can take part in sessions with other people.

Along with your thoughts and emotions, CBT also concentrates on your deeds and behaviors. In CBT, you will strive to pinpoint and address the issues that are contributing to your depression. This will entail speaking with mental health specialists who can assist you in accepting your symptoms and developing effective PDD coping mechanisms.

This type of therapy may not only benefit you in the short term but also lower your risk of recurrence in the future. Learning these skills through therapy will benefit you:

• Express your thoughts and feelings in a healthy way
• Cope with your emotions
• Adjust to a life challenge or crisis
• Identify thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that trigger or aggravate symptoms
• Replace negative beliefs with positive ones
• Regain a sense of satisfaction and control in your life
• Set realistic goals for yourself

Persistent Depressive Disorder Self-Care (Dysthymia Self-Care)

Being actively involved in your treatment is crucial because PDD is a chronic disorder. Certain lifestyle changes can support medical therapies and aid in symptom relief. Along with your prescribed treatment plan, making the following lifestyle adjustments may be helpful:

• Exercising at least three times per week (persistent depressive disorder physical exercise)
• Eating a diet rich in natural foods, such as fruits and vegetables
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol
• Seeing an acupuncturist
• Practicing yoga, tai chi, or meditation
• Writing in a journal

We Level Up Dual Diagnosis Treatment

The definition of dual diagnosis (also referred to as co-occurring disorders) can differ between institutions. However, it is generally described as the specific treatment of someone who has been diagnosed with a substance use disorder and a mental health disorder at the same time. Treating dual-diagnosis clients is a critical aspect of our inpatient treatment experience because co-occurring disorders are strongly correlated with instances of substance abuse.

Creating a treatment plan that addresses the physical aspects of withdrawal, the psychological connection with drug use, and managing underlying mental health disorders is part of setting clients up for success.  A thorough mental health analysis identifies possibilities for treatment.  Meeting with mental health counselors and medical care providers means access to behavioral therapy and medication treatment. At our dual diagnosis treatment center, We Level Up can implement the highest quality of care. 

We recognize the fragile complexities of how mental and substance abuse disorders can influence others and sometimes result in a vicious cycle of addiction.  That’s why we offer specialized treatment in dual-diagnosis cases to provide the most excellent chance of true healing and long-lasting recovery.

It can be challenging to accept that you may be living with a mental illness, but once it is properly diagnosed and treated, treating the presenting case of substance abuse can be magnitudes easier. Only a properly trained medical professional can diagnose these underlying conditions.  If you believe you are suffering from a disorder alongside addiction, we urge you to seek a qualified treatment center to begin your journey to recovery. Call We Level Up today.