Preliminary diagnosis of Dysthymia. Anyone had success with particular treatments?

[Deckard]

While i still need to see a psychologist for proper confirmation, I've had an initial diagnosis of dysthymia. Having read through the literature, it feels right. Low to mid level depression, has lasted years. Sadness and pessimism. Fatigue. Feelings of worthlessness and self-criticism. Trouble concentrating and staying focused. Irritability. Indecisiveness. Lost a parent when i was a child which is considered a possible trigger for this later in life. Also the belief that all of this is just part of my personality and who i am.

I will look to continue following this up and trying treatment, but i was wondering if anyone has had this diagnosis and has had success with any particular treatments? CBT seems to be mentioned a lot. Possible low level medication.

I worry CBT could hard for me to work through because I'm not the sort of person who believes you can just 'change your mindset' and everything will be ok.

[white knight]

Hi and welcome

Yes I have been diagnosed with it and bipolar, clinical depression and anxiety. At age 54 I was diagnosed with all these things. So all my life of ups and downs had a reason.

I attended a very good psychiarist in 2009 with my wife. I told him of my uncontrollable crying, sensitivity, irritability and so on. He questioned me about my childhood that something significant occured. My wife finally reminded me of a trauma at 13yo I'd told her of. My brother nearly drowned in our backyard pool. I managed to save him (he had a diabetic turn in the pool) and I got help. I didnt speak one word for 3 months. I was never the same again but the memory was a long time ago. Well that was the reason for the dysthymia.

We cant mention specific medications here due to rules however suffice to say it isnt a major deal, that one small med every morning has really changed my life.

Finally, like my bipolar there is positives. Dysthymia has enabled me to write my highly emotional poetry. Without it I'd be lost.

I hope that has helped.

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/depression/sad-all-the-time-dysthymia

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/young-people/dysthymia

Repost anytime in those threads or here. Again welcome on board.

TonyWK

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi Deckard,

Thank you for your question! Dysthymia isn't something that I've struggled with personally but I have done CBT and I can say that while there are therapies that are recommended for conditions, it's really finding one that clicks for you.

CBT did help me a little bit, but it was much more complex than 'changing your mindset'. I think for me it was about reframing the way I see things a little, exposure therapies for things I was uncomfortable with, and having tools like daily schedules when the depression hits hard.

I've also linked to the other threads here that might be worth jumping in on:

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/depression/dysthymia-#qvRz4HHzvGGEbv8AAOnT_A

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/online-forums/depression/diagnosed-with-dysthymia#quxUZHHz...

Best of luck,

rt

[Deckard]

Thank you for the response and links!

[Deckard]

Thank you for the information!