Dysthymia less severe?

[MissBenthos]

Has anyone else with dysthymia ever thought that the description of it being a less severe depression doesn’t seem correct? I keep thinking it must be comparable to holding up a light weight. No problem right? But the longer you hold it up the more it feels heavier and the more your body aches. After holding it for as long as you have without being able to put it down for a rest, it eventually becomes unbearable.

What do you think?

[white knight]

Hi MissB

I have dysthymia but I also have bipolar2 and depression. It has taken me a long time to see their individual symptoms as they tend to scramble some what.

My dysthymia is my constant low mood. Yes, it feels heavy and challenging. When I fall into my depressive cycle it comes with a whack, in a crisis manner whereas the dysthymia is there all the time. The dysthymia is responsible for my snappy reactions, lack of happy laughing and smiling. People say "you're too serious"....that's from that illness.

Dysthymia is also called the sadness illness. I used to think it was that part of me that led me to write my poetry of sad poems but I can only really write those during a depressive cycle.

I'm on mood stabilisers that really help me with the low mood but I've gone up to the maximum dose and that causes too many side effects. A mid range is better for me. But they don't rid me of the moods entirely but in a manageable level and that is a good goal.

When I was first diagnosed with these illnesses, my psychiatrist acknowledged that a crisis happened to me in childhood that triggered the symptoms. That was when my memory of a near tragedy occurred at 12yo (my brother near drowned in my presence) and I didn't talk for 3 months then slowly began to speak. When he heard that he immediately knew that that was the event that caused the dysthymia. I'm noe sure if that helps you or not but it might be handy information.

Take care   Tony WK

[white knight]

To answer your question if dysthymia is "less severe". My opinion is, that it has less dramatic and swift effect on ones life. My depression, when it comes can send me in a manic state and a dark place where I'm nearly powerless to do something about it.

I think dysthymia isn't so debilitating, but it is an annoying depression that you cant seem to get your hands around it as it dodges you every day. With the low mood it gives, you cant apologise to others enough for it...it tends to control your irritability so to speak.

So yes, it isn't as severe in my view but is still serious. Comparing mental illness however isn't really beneficial because for one person dysthyma can be life effecting and depression for another could be something they can live with easily....its subjective...like colours.

Tony WK 

[MissBenthos]

Hi Tony,

I know what you mean when individual symptoms scramble, I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on with me and I can’t say I’ve ever experienced any trauma like you have described to account for where it all comes from.

The dysthymia for me is usually “what’s the point in doing anything?” and frustration over not being able to feel joy. It doesn’t inspire any creativity, it feels like too much effort to do anything. There’s irritability but mostly I don’t think it comes out; people have described me as placid.

Thanks for the responses Tony, you take care also.

[ReeBecca]

Hi MissBenthos

I think I know what you mean about it being like holding up a light weight all the time. Because it is constantly there it is exhausting and very overwhelming at times because you feel like it never ends and it's very hard to feel joyful. I think there are severe moments but it's just that general every day melancholy feeling they are talking about when they say it's less severe. it definitely takes its tole on you though.

I have never been diagnosed with dysthymia but for a while now I've felt it accurately describes my depression.

I understand what you mean about what's the point feeling well. I feel like that most days. I'm not a creative person and find it hard to put a lot of effort into creative things like other. Like people who have hobbies and things...I wish I could be like that but there's just no interest or motivation. 

I am however just trying to focus on the simple things in life instead which helps a lot. Just like spending time with my family and walking making sure I am organised which makes me feel happier. Sort of like tiny achievements..sounds silly but it seems to help 🙂

[MissBenthos]

Hi ReeBecca,

It doesn't sound silly at all, if it helps you feel better keep doing it 🙂

[white knight]

Arhh yes

Melancholy.  Ever present. that's the word.

However I don't know where I'd be without this sadness feeling. I've embraced it when I sit on a rock on a hill and love life, when I cradle a baby animal, when I hug my daughter....my daughter, 26yo, when I tell her that she means so much to me and a tear forms in my eyes....other people get this too but not as often.

Its bliss. Are we unlucky to have dysthymia or lucky?

Tony WK 

[MisterM]

I was diagnosed with dysthymia as well as anxiety.
I don't get the not being able to get out of bed and wash that is common in severe depression.
It's a constant low melancholy mood with breaks of happiness in between.

[hhmc]

Hi everyone, I’m new to this forum 🙂 I jumped to this thread because I feel that I can relate to a lot of comments here.

I’m 30 and have recently broken up with a long term partner. It was a personal choice as nothing major has gone horribly wrong. I couldn’t see a sustainable relationship as our life goals seemed to have diverted. Instead of dragging on I broke it off. It was really painful for both of us.

Anyway, now that I’ve moved out and have spent more time alone reflecting/ revisiting past events/ research online about depression, I feel that I’ve been suffering from dysthymia. I don’t have major symptoms like can’t get out of bed/ losing interest in all things/ have physical pain etc. It actually feels more like a slow burn of sadness from within.

I know I haven’t been happy with the relationship and my job situation. I’ve largely bottled up these feelings (I did talk to my ex about it – but not enough probably). Since very young, I've always put on a brave face on all setbacks. On the outside people think I’m resilient, mentally strong, easy going and fun loving (though quiet). But actually when I’m by myself, often I feel miserable – slow burn style. I’ve been very hard on myself, cranky and irritable on little things. I feel fidgety and anxious at times for no reasons. And increasingly I feel that I can’t feel joy/happiness. I don’t know how to laugh, smile or cry. I just feel blank and empty. I eat, shower, do work, read and make art (which has been my coping mechanism whenever I feel shitty) and do all the normal things, but I don’t feel joy. They are just routine.

Another battle I’ve dealing with is my compulsive skin picking disorder (again not diagnosed but I’m 90% sure I have it) which have been going on since my teenage years. I’m very ashamed of it but I can’t seem to shake off the bad habit. 

As much as I want to get better and get on with a positive life, I feel that I’m getting used to this sad feeling and is part of who I am. I feel like a fake going to the doctor. I feel that the diagnose will come back as a negative and that I’m perfectly normal, even though I’m in constant sadness and despair – again so slow burn that it might not even be a thing. I think I should just get over it.

I try to keep my head above the water by making a point to go to social gatherings and continue to make art, eating healthy and having enough sleep. Some days are better than others. But I really can’t point out a ‘happy’ day in the remote past. 

[MisterM]

Hi hhmc,

Welcome.

A lot of what you describe is similar to my situation.
I suggest seeking a psychologist's evaluation.
I would probably tell them you suspect you have dysthymia and take it from there.

All the best, M