I have dysthymia, a term from the DSM-IV I prefer to use over its DSM-V
equivalent, "Persistent Depressive Disorder" (because many people tend
to be more familiar with it). It's a form of depression distinguishable
from major depressive disorder prin...
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I have dysthymia, a term from the DSM-IV I prefer to use over its DSM-V
equivalent, "Persistent Depressive Disorder" (because many people tend
to be more familiar with it). It's a form of depression distinguishable
from major depressive disorder principally by the facts that it tends to
be more moderate in severity, and that it tends to manifest itself less
episodically and more constantly (this is in part why people have been
lead to think of people with dysthymia as having "depressive
personalities"). That said, I do have episodes of more high-moderate to
severe depression, but they're relatively short - typically lasting a
few days to a week or so at most. I'm a 22-year-old male, by the way,
and have been mood-disordered in this way since around the age of 12-13,
or thereabouts. I'm medicated with SSRIs, but even with their aid I
still struggle. My mother and one of my two younger brothers are also on
SSRIs. I suppose, the reason I am creating this thread is because I
would like some input from anybody who might care to give it on the fact
that I not merely doubt the idea that I am possessed of the strength of
character to live a good life with this mood disorder of mine constantly
lurking in the background, in need of being fended off, but also that -
even if I were strong enough to succeed in having a good life despite my
depression - it would be worth doing at all. After all, my depression
and my failures to properly manage it - and the ensuing consequences -
have set me back in life quite a bit. I'm intellectually capable of
higher education, and was admitted to university, but am no longer an
enrolled student. Basically, the problems by which my situation is
characterised can be summed up as follows: Depressed on and off since
the age of about 12-13. It seems to run in the family. Addicted to
nicotine (gum and cigarettes). Tumultuous, love-hate relationship with
parents. Still living at home and off of a) my parents (yes, I am a
burden), and b) Centrelink's disability support pension (i.e. DSP).
Unemployed. Not formally educated past the high-school level. No
driver's license or vehicle (though I have been on my Ls for about 3
months; it took me more than half a decade of exposure therapy to rid
myself of the anxiety I had about driving - plus, I was too immature and
irresponsible back when I was 16). This affects my eligibility for
certain work or apprenticeships/traineeships, because often reliable
transport is required. Advice would be good...
How do I talk to my doctor?
