Persistent Depressive Disorder - Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Dysthymia or persistent depressive disorder (PDD) may cause feelings of gloominess and a lack of being upbeat, even on occasions happy enough. The causes of PDD range from inherent factors, physical changes in the brain and its chemistry and external factors such as life events.

Though the disorder may last a lifetime with recurrences, effective treatments can help manage the disorder effectively. Keep reading to learn more about this disorder.

As the name suggests, the condition is a form of depression that is long-term and continuous. Dysthymia is another term that refers to the condition. It is a mild to moderate depression that is chronic. Its characteristics include having a sad and dark mood on most days in a continuous pattern for prolonged periods. The condition is common and may occur to any person at any age.

Moreover, a person with this condition cannot enjoy good things. They are constantly unhappy and complaining about things and situations.

The symptoms of this disorder are quite similar to the symptoms of depression. The only difference is that they last for a prolonged period persistently. Here is a list of symptoms of PDD:

• Feelings of hopelessness and depression consistently observed in a person
• A person experiences low energy and self-esteem at all times
• Overeating or having a poor appetite
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Facing trouble concentrating and having a hard time making decision

Several causes may lead to the condition; some of them include the following -

• People who undergo physical changes in the brain may lead to this condition
• Change in brain chemistry often leads to the development of PDD
• The condition is common in blood relatives. Genes may play a role here
• High stress, trauma and personal problems trigger the condition

PDD is a complex condition with a number of biological and environmental factors appearing as risk factors. These factors include the following -

• A history of mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder or anxiety in a person or family
• A person indulging in alcohol or drug abuse
• Traumatic events in life like losing a near one or the incidence of stressful circumstances like financial problems
• Negative-orientation in personality traits like low esteem, over-thinking, being self-critical, etc.
• Patient history of other pre-existing mental health disorders like depression, schizophrenia, personality disorder, etc.

Diagnosis of the disorder commences through healthcare professionals administering the following processes:

• Physical Examination: A primary physician initially performs a thorough physical examination to examine symptoms. After that, the physician might refer to a mental healthcare expert for further diagnosis. They may even prescribe preventive treatment for underlying physical causes that may lead to PDD.
• Lab Tests: Doctors may recommend some lab tests to make sure if any physical ailment exists which may cater to the disorder. For instance, blood tests for thyroid may be recommended as thyroid conditions may cause sudden mood swings.
• Psychological Examination: A mental health care expert performs a psychological evaluation, discussing the patient’s thought patterns, feelings and behaviour. The process may include a questionnaire to help diagnose the condition precisely enough.

The following treatments are available for PDD, seeking which improvement in the condition may occur:

• Psychotherapy: This may be the initial recommendation for children and adolescents with PDD. It is a speech therapy in which the therapist discusses your issues and recommends ways to solve or cope with them. Such a therapy helpful for the disorder is cognitive behavioural therapy.
• Medication: Doctors may prescribe some medications accompanying psychotherapy to help deal with the condition. These include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Visiting a doctor is necessary when the symptoms described above occur in a person. An utterly obvious sign of the disorder is- a person having tendencies of suicide and self-harm.

Though managing the disorder through therapy and medication is possible, some additional preventive factors may even be helpful to a great extent. Some helpful measures include:

• Sleeping well, exercising enough and maintaining a healthy diet.
• Avoid consuming alcohol and indulging in substance abuse.
• Take an active part in extracurricular activities.
• Make efforts to maintain a healthy and positive relationship with family and friends.

Suicides caused by persistent depressive disorder have become more common with the passing days. Therefore, raising awareness about the same is the need of the hour. Hence, keeping a close eye on yourself and your loved ones is utterly necessary. Moreover, if any of the symptoms mentioned earlier occur, seek treatment immediately to prevent any mishap.