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• September 30, 2009 4:07 p.m.

  I first felt dysthymic symptoms in my early twenties following University grad & and the break up of a relationship. I am now 41 and would say I've had a about 3 -4 major depressive episodes in the past 20 years. I definitely see the same pattern in my parents (although they may be more major depressive) and my husband. I have tried therapy a few times in the past, mostly marital, but due to the expense dropped it once "crisis" was over. I absolutely refuse to take medication and instead try to exercise and have a drama-free existence. It's such a weird condition; mostly I feel "flat" emotionally and don't really have a constant zest for life. Once every few months I feel totally elated and amazing, but that will only last a day - would love to bottle that feeling! I have never resorted to any kind of substance abuse as I'm a bit of health nut. I can say that this condition has been one of the major reasons I have decided to not have children. I believe I had some major childhood trauma (possibly sexual?) which I've blocked. I've never had a close or loving relationship with my parents and suspect this is why. I have this deep-seated feeling that they failed to protect me in some way and often felt a sense of shame growing up. Did not know unconditional love in the family of origin; highly dysfunctional all around for all known generations; "adult children" if you know what I mean. Ready to try therapy again with a crisis in progr

  - Dagney

• September 20, 2009 7:58 p.m.

  I've had dysthymia since early childhood and was just diagnosised with it this year. I knew I was depressed growing up because of not being loved or accepted by my family or other people. Things didn't get any better when I started using drugs at age 13. But now I know I took them because I felt so bad and isolated. I never understood why I could feel normal one day and then awful the next. I've recently learned that my thinking patterns are very negative and are causing me my most distress. I keep having to remind myself to stop thinking of painful past experiences. My mind automatically goes there and it's hard to make myself stop. Today is Sunday and I've spent my weekend at home alone cause I'm depressed. My head feels compressed and it is hard to focus on anything. Ever since getting on prozac I've stopped going to the gym and I need to go back but I haven't been able to. Before starting the medication I had to go there just to function at work. I needed the endorphines or I couldn't do my work. Now that I can work, thanks to the prozac, I'm not going to the gym. I just broke up with someone and realized I've been in a very unrequited love relationship. I just learned a few days ago what that means. I was treated so badly as a child that I am still trying to get others to accept and love me, to no avail. I feel so pathetic. I'm 48 and divorced. At least I'm looking and trying to help myself get better.

  - Sue

• September 13, 2009 1:30 a.m.

  As far as I can remember I've felt empty inside. Relationships were always difficult, because I was very argumentative and opionated. I only have one friend and not so positive relationships with family members. My life has been consumed (eventhough I suffer from depression) with taking care of others with mental issues. It had to be GOD who kept me from loosing my mind. Most days I feel lonely. I am determined not to let this depression take control over the rest of my life. I currently take high doses of B12, cod liver oil and 2000 IU of vitamin D. I have tried quite a few meds, and the side effects are concerning. I don't like the changes my brain experiences. I will be looking for another therapist. Prayer has been very helpful. Internal breathing helps when I feel anxious. I also plan on eliminating people who constantly bring stress into my LIFE. I want to know what happiness feels like. I deserve it!

  - Bernie

• August 19, 2009 1:22 p.m.

  I believe I have had SAD for the past few years. I am not looking forward to the next few weeks. I am hoping my symptoms do not appear this fall/winter. I would like to enjoy my daughter's September birthday and Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. Depression is real. Sometimes I believe in medication sometimes I don't the past couple years I have stopped taking my medication because I feel better. I am not doing it this year. Also, although I am not an alcoholic, I have found that eliminating alcohol from my diet has helped. I find myself sleeping all the time in the Spring and Summer and then Fall and Winter I can't get to sleep. This may sound weird, but I almost have a fear of darkness when I have episodes of depression. I definetly cut people off socially too. I would prefer to be alone for 3 months out of the year. I know there is no cure, but hopefully this year with continuing with my medication and positive thinking I can make it through the SAD season a little easier.

  - Angie

• August 19, 2009 7:46 a.m.

  Thanks for your succinct description, Gabrielle. My (Australian) medicos haven't mentioned Dysthymia before but my current condition seems to fit. I have attempted to fight back against my father’s (and then my own) pessimism by adopting an analytical and positive attitude – plus nicotine. In middle age I was hit by a full blast anxiety and depression attack, and my defenses caved in. I used the medical profession’s full armory and my psychologist’s marvelous sense of humour to discover I’d been battling depression ever since I was aged 8. Worried that my perception of “reality” might be up the spout, I made dogged efforts to discover and validate the “facts”. That saved my life because I had to develop a new view on the world and try to find a less stressful place/environment. Unfortunately, another acute stressor has just arrived, so I’m back to square one again but armed with a new SSRI variant, some new knowledge, and a reminder of what I now need to do. Keep up the good work in broadening the knowledge and ability of sufferers to deal with this condition.

  - Mark

• August 1, 2009 3:52 p.m.

  Chuck, I read your comment...is this "learned helplessness"?? Can family members be "enablers"?? Any insight into this condition is most appreciated.

  - KC

• August 1, 2009 1:12 p.m.

  I've suffered from Dysthymia all my life. I've become an expert regarding its onset and symptoms. What frustrates me the most is that conventional therapy is useless. They tip toe around the issues and don't address the feelings of helplessness, how to strengthen personal relationships, and how to strenghten coping strategies through effective problem solving. In addition, this exacerbates the problem and makes it much more difficult to deal with. Insurance frowns on this and in some cases has a limit of coverage or no coverage available. I realize it's no one's fault having this illness. Yet our culture still looks down on this as a weakness of character. There still exist a stigma. Most people who really need help find it extremely difficult finding professionals who have the skills or patience dealing with issues of pessimisim, self -worth, rejection, etc.. because they don't address the underlying belief at the core. Nor do they walk a frightened inner child through their hurt and frightend feelings. Many of us who suffer from this illness have difficulty are out of touch with our feelings and have low self esteem. Futhermore, the real solution to this epidemic is finding the right kind of help to address the attitudes, thought patterns, and activities at the root of chronic depression. Look for someone who will be active and willing to teach and guide you to overcome apathy, passivity, and helplessness. With is approach we will no longer feel like "VICTIMS".

  - Chuck

• August 1, 2009 12:56 p.m.

  My brother will be forty-five years old soon. He is bright, good looking, and a caring individual with a lot of potential. He has never been married but was in a committed relationship for over twenty years. That relationship permanently ended five years ago. He has feelings of hopelessness, extremely low self-esteem, and absolutely No initiative or energy. Sleeps all the time, unemployed and NOT due to laziness, and basically does not communicate with anyone or leave the house. I was able to get him under the care of a psychologist three years ago. He has taken meds for depression and been in therapy consistently over the past three years. Presently he is taking Wellbuterin and Lexapro but he still has NO ENERGY or INTEREST IN LIFE. He has been unemployed for more than one year and prior to that worked small jobs here and there. I too suffer from depression but I still function in society and work a demanding job. He is seeing his doctor again this upcoming week. This is his 2nd doctor and he has been seeing her for one year with NO improvement. Any ideas?? Thanks, KC

  - KC

• July 31, 2009 1:01 p.m.

  I too was diagnosed with dysthymia. Been on Zoloft, Welbutrin, Paxil, (which worked the best, but looses it's power after a couple of years and then the "brain zings" as othes put it comes. I take ambien CR every night because I can not sleep. I have been on that for a year. Now I am getting angry at everyting and everyone. I don't know what to do. If I should make a sooner appt with my pyschiatrist or just see if it goes away. I have no suiside thoughts but death thoughts. Like I hate life and would be better off dead. BUT would not do that to myself. It's good to say that to someone. Better days ahead

  - Betz

• July 3, 2009 6:29 p.m.

  This article (and website) is excellent, informative, comforting and accurate. However it requires some minor editing :) Just typos though, nothing serious. Thanks for this, Mayo Clinic and Dr. Melin.

  - Emily

• June 11, 2009 10:50 a.m.

  I've been suffering from some form of depression or other from round about age 12, I am now 32. I finally asked my doctor what the official term of my illness was, and Dysthymia is what I got. I've had major episodes of depression in the past .. suicide .. that kind of thing. Been on countless different meds and still am on at least 3 for this (not to count other pills I take for other illnesses.) I've learned a few things over the years: 1) you have to learn to live with it, accept your limitations but also embrace your worth. You've got to be good at something, surely? 2) regular talk therapy. You need outside perspective once in a while. 3) keep with the program. Just because you're feeling better doesn't mean you're cured. (I myself don't expect to be "cured" ever, and that's not necessarily a bad thing) Keep in touch with your doctors and therapists, and do *not* ever stop taking your meds on your own. This is not the same as quitting smoking! It's not my intention to preach. I can't even help myself sometimes. For example, I have not gone 100 meters from my house this whole week. It's one of those episodes. But nevermind. I just want to share my experience, and hope someone out there get something good from it.

  - chanin

• June 10, 2009 12:59 a.m.

  I have been depressed since I was in my teens. About 12 years ago I was diagnosed with Dysthymia. I used Zoloft for about a year. Started to get night sweats, dizzy. Went off for a couple years. Couldn't live with myself. Went on Paxil for a few years. My feelings were flat lined so weened my self off. Then tried Wellbutrin, had lots of energy, lost weight, and was so anxious all the time. Did nothing for my depression. I realized I was suffering from a few different things. Then went on Prozac. Have been on it ever since. It's been a few years, and I can't ever seeing myself getting off it. I still have episodes of depression, but can feel it coming on, I can get my dose upped when that happens. Then I ween down to my current dose. I found prozac seems to help my anxiety and other things like the thought patterns that are unhealthy. There are side affects but I'd rather feels mostly normal. I also am 49 and menopausal or peri, I am having sweats, the facial heat, inside out. I don't know if the prozac is helping or hindering, but I can live with it for now.

  - Dianne

• June 2, 2009 7:11 a.m.

  My history seems different from many I read. I was always a happy-go-lucky child, loved exploriing, loved "playing" during college, excited about getting jobs after college, and enjoyed being single till 30. However, after a divorce in my early 40's (remarried in mid 40's), a child in my late 40's, dealing with undiagnoised Lyme Disease throughout my 50's, and losing a sister to cancer in my late 50's, I apparently gradually developed dysthymia. I took Lexapro for 6+ years which seemed to level out my ups and downs, but never gave me that zest for living. Now I'm in that roller coaster again of some days feeling somewhat OK, others feeling bland and hopeless, and every now and then actually feeling good about life. I'm trying to break out of this cycle without medication because everything I read about the meds scares the heck out of me. I've been doing cognitive and behavorial therapy, but still have this cloud and no real zest for life. I'm also recently without a job and wonder if finding a fulfilling job would be enough make me feel good about life. Has anyone actually been able to pick themselves up by their boot straps without going the medication route?

  - Gene

• June 1, 2009 3:00 p.m.

  I think my husband is suffering from dysthymia what can i do to help him. he is going to the doctor this month. i know i can only do so much. what can i do?

  - lovingwife

• April 7, 2009 7:56 p.m.

  I inherited a predisposition to chronic depression from my father. I'm 52 and in menopause with symptoms that have made me feel like I'm not in control, a memory like a sieve, no attention span, mood swings, and different types of hot flashes (burning from the inside out, just burning on the skin's surface, just burning on the face). Plus the ever present depression that's been escalating from work and family stress over the past 1-1/2 years. I was hoping to somehow avoid going on another antidepressant because of the side affects and the medication not working at all or long term, but I'm taking 60 mg of Cymbalta and 20 mg of Lexapro. The Lexapro keeps me from waking up in a panic and has stopped me from feeling like I can't catch my breath. My memory and attention span have improved. The Cymbalta isn't helping at this point and I'm not sure it ever did much so I'm back to the psychiatrist this month to ask for a dosage increase or different medication or a combination. I'm in counseling but my psychologist is ineffective, doesn't listen to what I'm saying, and mainly wants to talk about himself or the latest movie. I'm hoping to find someone that specializes in cognitive behavorial therapy to help me make positive changes, tone down negative thinking, and move forward with my life. Right now I feel like my life is on hold until my 25 year old daughter moves out, and she just got discharged from her job. It's time to kick butt, mine included.

  - Jess

• March 17, 2009 9:30 p.m.

  I was wondering what middle aged women out there with Dysthymia are experiencing with perimenopause. I am starting to have other symptoms, like the vaginal dryness etc. but the onset of mood swings is a bit alarming. I am looking into trying Bio-identical hormone therapy. I am also concerned that my current antidepressant which has helped for years may need some changes. I would rather try hormone therapy first, I hate to mess with what has been working so well for so long.

  - Susanne

• February 16, 2009 9:03 p.m.

  Many of the symptoms of Dysthymia are the same as those of major depression;however,they may be less severe or intense. Dysthymia also has some symptoms that may not occur with major depression. The hallmark of Dysthymia is the length of time that it persists. ============ Liza Find the latest news about Depression,Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Discuss Mood Disorders topics with members of the Health Community. Manic Depression News and Discussion Forum

  - Liza

• February 14, 2009 8:45 p.m.

  I am 53 years old and have struggled with dysthymia since my teens. My father was critical of the entire family and we never quite measured up, no matter what. As a child, I didn't have control over how I was treated, but as an adult, I do. The trouble is, I don't think that concept ever sunk in and my response is to accept automatic defeat in the face of adversity. This in turn dumps the wrong chemicals into my body from the brain, and over time causes depression. It is clearly a pattern. My marriage partner is often critical, like dear old dad. Antideppressents, although helpful, only mask what is really going on. I need to somehow retrain my internal defeatest attitude...which is rather automatic. Yes, I could quit this relationship, and that job, which sometimes helps. But what I really need to do is somehow get control of my own life and don't give it away again! Trusting others to look out for your best interest is often a mistake...although I certainly have done it for them. This depression is caused by my brain dumping bad chemicals after experiencing an unpleasant encounter. Over time, the depression worsens. It is not going on when my life is free from the venomous types, so I am sure there is a correlation between depression and repeated unpleasant encounters. AV

  - AV

• January 26, 2009 11:31 a.m.

  Dr. Daniel Amen's books are excellent and we highly recommend them. They are not a substitute for seeing your Physician though. Thanks for your interest in Mayo Clinic.com!

  - MC.Com Staff

• January 23, 2009 1:41 p.m.

  To Sharon (1/21): From one manic depressive to another. Pristiq is an antidepressant. Sometimes, if one is Bipolar, an antidepressant can drive you into a manic phase. the nervousness you feel inside could be heralding a manic phase. Take it from one who has been there--call your doctor right away!

  - Jan

• January 22, 2009 10:50 a.m.

  I've dealt with mild depressions since high school; I'm now 61. I read one of Dr. Daniel Amen's books, the title is something like "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life' and it was truly life-changing for me, a real eye-opener. He talks about ANTS - automatic negative thoughts - and how do change them into positive thoughts. Wow, what a difference it's made in my life; the hard part of course is remembering to work on removing those life-long ANTS. I would recommend reading his books for great insight into depression and other mental health issues. Most public libraries carry his books. His lectures are also on PBS channels and they are informative and humorous!

  - Michele

• January 21, 2009 10:04 p.m.

  I have been Dx. Bipolar and Chronic Depression for over 35 years.Started with Surmontil,then Cymbalta, and two weeks ago with new medicine, Pristiq 50 mg. I am either losing my mind or something good may be happening. I can no longer cry. But I really want to.The only word I can think of ia "nervous inside".If anyone knows what I mean,please,please, tell me what I'm trying to explain.I no longer know what to do,but I don't think something is right after two weeks on Pristig, that was right before.

  - Sharon

• January 20, 2009 7:03 p.m.

  Dysthmia..I was so glad to have a name to my symptoms which I have had for 50 years!!! I now use wellbutrin (50) mgs. and 20 mgs. Celexa. Have used several different types including Effoxor but the sweating side effect was a major problem. It seems if I don't exercise regularly I get lethargic and of course gain weight.The negative thinking , obsessive, I call it, still bothers me when I wake up but now I can say oh! there is that obsessive thinking and it seems to disappear, for the most part. It is true that people often don't understand so i educate them if they seem open to it. Best wishes to all and hurrah for Obama.

  - joyce

• January 18, 2009 2:07 p.m.

  I was depressed for years. What worked for me was quitting my job. I was surrounded by miserable, angry, critical, self-serving people. The whole atmosphere was one of using other people to gain power. Constant guilt-tripping and criticism was used to demoralize employees. Most of the supervisors were co-dependent, and insisted on a co-dependent relationship with their subordinates. This was also a 70% Catholic community, where suffering is considered saintly, and rules and authority are always sacred. I quit the job, lost my home, move 500 miles away, and now am happy and sane again. My advice is to find out what you are depressed about, and deal with it! Get out of a bad marriage. Tell your parents off. Move out of town. Find another job. And change your attitude about life. It's not about suffering, or accepting blame. Remember that unfortunately, many, if not most people, want to use you for their own advancement. Don't let them. To heck with people like that. Don't feel bad that the world is filled with selfish, miserable people. That's their problem. Be happy! Enjoy life! Don't help miserable selfish people. Understand what co-dependency is, and don't get into it. And remember--no one likes depressed people. Depression leads only to more depression. It is a selfish emotion, you have been trained to feel that it is an accepted part of life. Reject your training. Make yourself into a new person!

  - Sonya

• January 15, 2009 12:37 p.m.

  \.i am like ur help in everyway u can,first of all i have been living all my life in nigeria and i be staying with my family alot of things happened to me when y\to me i was there we robbed by armed robbers and then a year after i had an accident,then i left to the middle east.then i felt ok but my problem is when i meet a guy and he invites me out i begin to panick and get really stressed and when i be with him i am not myself.cause of this situation i dont last in realationship,i am 30 yrs,and now recently i met this guy he really likes me i do too,but every time i want to go outr with him i start panick and feel strange and i wouldnt myself,now i am enaged i feel so stressed that i all i do is cry and feel i doning something wrong start to feel if i do like him or not or if if i am doing the right thing.

  - No name given