Dysthyemia is a disabling disorder that is generally experienced as a less severe but more chronic form of major depression, and affects about 6% of the population. The disorder is characterized by feelings of depression (low energy, poor appetite, feelings of hopelessness, etc.) for at least two years, and impairs one’s ability to regulate mood and prevent sadness from lingering. When a person is suffering from a chronic low mood and self esteem, it can become very difficult to concentrate, hinders the ability to be productive, and to enjoy everyday life.
Like depression, Dysthyemia results in impaired functioning at work, and in social and personal situations. There are various prescription drug treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and antidepressants – but antidepressants have numerous side effects that may complicate treatment, and don’t target the root cause of the depression. For example, a study has found that about three-quarters of patients with Dysthyemia also suffer from other chronic illnesses or psychiatric disorders. These prescription medications have been found to completely lift depression in about a third of patients who take them, lift the depression somewhat in another third – and for the last third – antidepressants don’t seem to work at all. The key to treating disorders such as Dysthyemia practically, is to first consider the root cause of the depression.
Some causes of depression: Hypothyrodism Low adrenals Infection Low sex hormones Substance or alcohol abuse Brain imaging equipment show that depression is a disorder of the brain, but this technology cannot reveal why the depression has occurred in the first place. “Regarding depression as “just” a chemical imbalance wildly misconstrues the disorder.” – Psychology Today, March 1999 Low serotonin levels are usually a symptom of depression, not a cause. Introspection causes a person to participate in fewer pleasurable activities – causing serotonin levels to drop even further. Our practical advice is to aim to work on the causes of this introspection, be it a poor diet, chronic stress, etc., not just the symptoms. If any of the above symptoms might affect you for more than a month, try to remain active, exercise daily, and see a functional medicine to find the root cause of your depression, Dysthymia and Anxiety.