Posted by sid on March 13, 2002, at 22:39:06
In reply to Dysthymia, I have it, what is it ??, posted by janejj on March 13, 2002, at 17:30:54
Dysthymia is low-grade long-term (chronic) depression. It means you can function about normally, unlike during an episode of major depression, but you tend to find life blah. Dysthymic people are perceived as pessimistic, defeatist even, and they are not particularly fun to be around. I should know, I've had dysthymia for 21 years. I didn't realize it until I had major depression and started to read on depression, only to find a description of myself under "dysthymia." The major depression is cured, but the dysthymia stayed with me, so I decided to try an AD for it. A dysthymic person has a higher probability of developing major depression and anxiety problems.
I think Prozac can help, as other ADs can. I'm not sure if it's the best however, it likely depends on many factors, as usual. I am on Effexor XR and it's working well for me, at a low dose (75 mg a day). Treatment for dysthymia tends to be low dose and long term (1 year +, possibly forever), since this type of depression is low-grade but long-standing.
For more info on dysthymia:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.dysthymia.htmlGood luck!
- sid
poster:sid
thread:97819
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/97876.html