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Home » Areas of Practice » Labor Laws » Job Hazards » Depression

Dysthymic Disorder

Dysthymic disorder (DD) is a form of chronic depression, but it is not as harsh as major depression. People diagnosed with DD remain in a depressed state of mind almost every day for a minimum of two years, but they never quite display the symptoms associated with major depression. Common qualities of someone with DD include lack of energy, sleep or eating abnormalities, and low self-worth.

DD patients typically claim that they cannot recall a time when they weren't depressed, but they often have the ability to be fairly functional day to day. However, the symptoms may be serious enough to cause enough anguish to disrupt important life obligations. Before jumping to any conclusions, you should undergo a full physical to determine whether any physical ailments might be causing the depression. If a chronic medical condition is identified as the cause of the depressive traits, the patient may, in fact, have all the criteria of necessary for a diagnosis of a mood disorder due to a general medical condition. The question that must be answered is whether the medical disorder is physically causing the depression, as opposed to creating chronic psychological grief that has led to depression.

In spite of the long-term nature of DD, psychotherapy is an effective form of treatment to minimize the symptoms of depression and help the patient improve upon their life management skills. Antidepressants are a nice compliment to psychotherapy for some people, so it may be necessary for a physician to evaluate whether medication will be a good fit for the patient.

Supportive counseling can assist the patient with coping with their sorrow and help them face their hopeless thoughts. Cognitive therapy helps the person assess which of their perceived problems are crucial and which should not be causing stress. It also shows them how to come to terms with troubles that will not go away. Problem solving therapy is used to make adjustments in the areas of a person's life that are highly stressful and increasing the intensity of the depression. Behavioral therapy will help improve the vital skills required to deal with your situation, and interpersonal therapy teaches patients how to patch up relationships.