Dysthymia (cont.)
How Is Dysthymia Diagnosed?
A mental health specialist generally makes the diagnosis based on the
person's symptoms. In the case of dysthymia, these symptoms will have lasted
for a longer period of time and be less severe than in patients with major
depression.
With dysthymia, your doctor will want to make sure that the symptoms are not
a result of substance abuse or a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism.
Also, the depression and other symptoms should cause clinically significant
distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of
your life.
If you are depressed and have had depressive symptoms for more than two
weeks, see your doctor or a psychiatrist. Your provider will perform a thorough
medical evaluation, paying particular attention to your personal and family
psychiatric history.
There is no blood, X-ray or other laboratory test that can be used to
diagnose dysthymia.
How Is Dysthymia Treated?
While dysthymia is a serious illness, it's also very treatable. As with any
chronic illness, early diagnosis and medical treatment may reduce the intensity
and duration of depression symptoms and also reduce the likelihood of a
relapse.
To treat dysthymia, doctors may use psychotherapy (counseling), medications
such as antidepressants, or a combination of these therapies. Often, dysthymia
can be treated by a primary care physician.
What Is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy (or talk therapy) is used in dysthymia and other mood
disorders to help the person develop appropriate coping skills to deal with
everyday life. Psychotherapy can also help increase compliance to medication
and healthy lifestyle habits, as well as help the patient and family understand
the mood disorder. You may benefit from one-on-one therapy, family therapy,
group therapy, or a support group with others who suffer with chronic
depression.
Next: How do antidepressants help ease dysthymia? »
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