Dysthymia Medication

Taking a proper and a suitable medication for depression is a helpful measure in coping with it, similarly in Dysthymia also as it is also a depression, we can take help of all these anti depressant drugs.The most commonly used treatment with drugs include serotonin reuptake inhibitors ,commonest examples of these are flouxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft) and also the new drugs like dual -action antidepressants like venlafaxine (Effexor).In some of the cases trycyclic antidepressants like imipramine (Tofranil) are found to be effective.While using these drugs it should be taken into consideration that some of these drugs may cause crtain side effects also like for example stomach upset, mild insomnia, and reduced sex drive.

Basically it has to established that what particular drug suits the patient best.Not all the drugs are effective or frree from side effects for all the people.The best combination has to be figured out, if it is drugs and pshychotherapy or which particular drug for a particular person.

Dysthymia In Children And Teens

In general Dysthymia starts in childhood, teenage or early adulthood. The sooner it is diagnosed better it can be treated. The main problem with dysthymic kids or teens is that they themselves fail to identify this problem in themselves. They just take it as a part of their nature which actually is not a natural one but colored by Dysthymia.In the teenage also the rapidly changing physical, hormonal and emotional states influence the onset of dysthymia and later on major depression.

Use of anti depressants and other medications with children is still under debate but the use of psychotherapy has shown quite optimistic results. Cognitive, behavioral and other talk therapies have proved to be helpful with kids and teenagers’ .Talking openly with a therapist about their thoughts and other emotional difficulties has helped children and teenagers to get some control over Dysthymia and depression.

Dysthymia In Women

Dysthymia is found twice as much in women as compared to men and this ratio does not depend on racial, ethnic or economic background. Until adolescence the rate of depression is not so much between boys and girls but after the age of approximately 12-13 it is more prevalent in girls, the reason could be the rapid changes in their physical, intellectual and hormonal constitution. Apart from these internal factors certain other environmental factors like stress, responsibility and emotional vulnerability are also some reasons for the Dysthymia to be diagnosed in women.

Environmental factors that play an important role may be the abuse of any form like sexual or physical, socio-cultural conditions, victimization etc. Also in the later adulthood certain reasons like being helpless, abandoned by children etc may trigger Dysthymia in women.

Genetic Influence in Dysthymic Disorder Or Dysthymia

As depression runs in families so is Dysthymia being a chronic depressive disorder. Studies on twins have shown influence of genes in depressive disorders like dysthymia. If raised in the same environment the chances of Dysthymia in identical twins are three times more likely than fraternal twins. Studies show that with parents having some depressive disorder their children are more prone to these problems than of healthy parents. Genes affect the activity of brain and hence play a role in cause of dysthymic disorders. The chemicals which provide the communication link between the brain cells are known as neurotransmitters and people with dysthymic disorders have some imbalances in the formation and activity of these neurotransmitters. However some advanced and later studies have not accepted this simple explanation of genetic role in dysthymia but have claimed a more complex relationship between genes, neurotransmitters and depression.

Treatment of Dysthymia

As similar with most other mental disorders there could be two modes of treatment for Dysthymia.

Medical and psychotherapeutic Treatment Of Dysthemic Disorder:

Medical treatment involves use of anti depressants and anti anxiety drugs.Anti depressants were found to be effective in most of the cases depending upon the response of the patients for different categories of these anti depressants. While anti anxiety drugs can be used for the patients with chronic symptoms of insomnia, fatigue, or tension.
In the psychotherapeutic treatment which is equally or sometimes even more important than medical treatment involves and assessment of patients suicidal or self destructive potential and helping him create and maintain a positive and hopeful view of life. Various therapies which were found useful are cognitive, behavioral with social skills training. Whatever type of psychotherapy is used should be accompanied by appropriate supportive measures like continued education and reassurance to the patient about his improvement and the characteristics of this illness so that he can properly follow the instructions from the therapist.

Causes Of Dysthymia

The exact cause of Dysthymia is still to be founded.While the studies till date show that the major reasons could be genetic or biochemical in nature.Certain nuero transmitters which are not present in desired amounts play an important role.Neuro tansmitters are those chemicals secreted inside the brain which help in communication between the nerve cells.Serotonin and norepinephrine are the two neuro transmitters whose low levels are significant in the occurance of this depression. As per the studies it was found that women inheritantly have low levls of serotonin, could be the reason why they are more prone to depression.

This depression passes down from generation to generation .The Dysthymia has a genetic role,was confirmed by the studies on identical twins.If one of the twins suffers from depression then the chances of its occurance in the other twin are more than 70%. Apart from these biochemical and genetic backgrounds dysthymia is supported by cratin other environmental factors also like problems in relationships,financial stresses or the lose of some loved one or basically any kind of emotional setback.Alcohol or drug abuse ,a past history of depression and medical dependence of some kind help manifest this disease more easily.

How Common Is Dysthymia

As the studies show 3% of the population may be suffering through dysthymia at any point of time while within a lifetime it affects about 6% of people. As it is hard to detect it earlier a time lapse of 10 years could be there before a person realizes its presence. In general people having a major depression in any of the immediate relatives are more prone to dysthymia. Also approximately 10% of people suffering through dysthymia develop major depression and the presence of both of them simultaneously is referred to as `Double Depression’.

Due to unknown reasons, like most of the types of depression it is more commonly diagnosed in women. Also along with depressive disorder symptoms, other personality disorders like narcissistic, histrionic, avoidant etc may also be associated. The unpleasant feelings due to Dysthymia may lead the person to the substance abuse like drugs or alcohol for a temporary relief.

Symptoms and Diagnosis Of Dysthemia

As highlighted earlier the major symptoms include low self-worth and low self esteem, with a gloomy attitude towards life, hopelessness, low energy levels and fatigue. Low appetite or over eating, Lack of sleep or too much of sleep. Poor concentration and difficulty making decisions also hinder the normal day to day life functioning of the patient. When these symptoms exist at least for one year and continuosly for two years, they indicate towards Dysthymia.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of pattern of these mental and physical conditions as they are observed or informed by the patient and also for how long they were prevalent. There could be certain other complications might be accompanied, so a proper diagnosis can only be made by an qualified mental health proffessional.

What is Dysthymic Disorder Or Dysthymia

Dysthymic disorder or dysthymia is one of the mood disorders which falls under the category of Depression. Clinically it is registered as Anhedonia, including the major charecterstics of lack of enthusiasm, lack of energy, fatigue and in general a gloomy view of life with a difficulty in enjoyment or pleasure. Along with these symptoms lack of sleep or over sleeping, lack of appetitite or over eating and a feeling of hopelessness are also accompanied. It affects the person from a normal day to day functioning and for longer durations is a prelude of major depression and suicidal tendencies. This disorder often goes unnoticed and hence untreated. It has its onset in early teenage and lasts at least for two years and maximum for a lifetime. The Irony is that the person suffering could not easily make out its presence, only after suffering for a considerable time time they come to know about it.