Hello,
I'm in my mid-twenties and I have dysthymia (persistent mild depression), which has come about since I was a teenager.
I'm wondering if anyone has this disorder and may be able to recommend a good psychologist (in Sydney) to speak to? I have seen a psychologist twice before, for anxiety, but I don't feel I got what I needed out of that psychologist's approach, I felt it was very short-term rather than long-term solution focused. I wonder if anyone has had a good experience with a psychologist or psychiatrist who helped them with dysthymia?
It is something I keep putting off seeking help for, probably because it is so invisible in a way. With anxiety, I had panic attacks, those were very apparent symptoms that needed attention. With dysthymia, I kind of kept hoping things would get better, because it's not like I can't function or get out of bed. But for the last year I've actually struggled to cope.
I feel worthless all the time. I have little to no friends. At work I struggle to smile and hide my sad days and I "feel down" very easily, it only takes a small mishap for me to go into what I call "The Well", I'm not sure if other people experience this, but it's like you're doing fine, walking along like normal, and then all of sudden someone says something (or forgets to say something) and you're not looking and you fall into the well, it's dark, practically no light, and only negative thoughts are there, and it's very heavy, it actually feels like an anchor weighing down your heart, and once you're down there it's a struggle to get back up. My co-workers must think I hate my job, but I don't, I just don't derive pleasure and excitement from anything in the way they do - and I've pretty much been this way since my teens. But I don't want to be a gloomy person.
I would like to stop avoiding this problem and speak to someone about it, but to someone who will take it seriously and not dismiss it. I'd prefer a cognitive or talking therapy based approach. I've been trying for years to overcome it myself, but I've hit a complete wall and can't go any further. I'd really appreciate some help if anyone can offer advice on some good people to talk to, or tell me about strategies that have helped you?
Thanks everyone.
