Dysthymia

[William68]

I have been dealing with depression for over 3 decades and have been diagnosed with dysthymia and have tried all the meds and things like cbt and read all the books and done one to one and group therapy but to no avail. I am looking to hear from anyone who has dysthymia and have experienced any treatment that works.

[Agora1]

Welcome William68, there are others with that diagnosis. I welcome you to a caring and supportive site. Hoping you hear from others soon. I'm glad you are here. xx

[Catsamaze ADAA Volunteer in reply to Agora1]

Echoing Agora. Also, many people with dysthymia will never know they have it. They lead black and white lives when they could live in color....they just don’t know it. Glad that you do know so that you can eventually experience the color...

[mauv]

I have had dysthymia for years. For me I need to learn to give myself compassion and understanding of this disease. It is hard to recover when depression is your norm. I learnedslf acceptance. I didn’t cause, can’t control and can’t cure this disease. Having a good psychiatrist and psychologist is important. When you are really down know you can’t do much and accept that it is due to having depleted seratonin levels. Stress throws me into a depression. I go into one but come out faster by taking care of myself. My husband gives me no support. I use to punish myself and stay there longer by not taking care of myself and first applying self acceptance.Hope this helps you.

[Hidden]

Hi there. I am a dysthymia myself diagnosed four decades ago and still searchingforwaystoobercome. I’m at a giving-up point and ok with accepting it as regular part of me. I deal with it one day at a time, journaling and reading the Stoics...

[AllInThisTogether]

I've been suffering for quite some time (10 or 20 years). Life and the world is surely enough to make anyone somewhat depressed! Only diagnosed clinically with relatively depression a couple of years back. Certainly never manic. Not really at risk of suicidal ideation. Dysthymia is a self-diagnosis.

Had just lived with low mood and belief in tendency to SAD prior to that. I think lots of activity (preferably in the wilds), music, singing, a chance to dance helped a lot for years, but then along come kids and new stresses with less time for any of the above.

Got diagnosed in order to try some meds since I was really struggling at home (esp over winter). Been on Fluoxetine (Prozac) 20-40mg over the last 18 months. Def helped initially, but I got to being fed up with the dulling effect on my mind - foggy, slow, sleepy. Made some changes (within practical family limits) to my lifestyle and attitudes (daily short run, some meditation, some more distance and respite time) and occupation (only working in areas I consider important). Weening myself off the pills now and feeling better for it. But, you know, spring is coming too, so that helps.

Have been interested in psychedelics as a possible treatment, but life gets in the way and it's not mainstream yet and I'm a bit of a wuss.

How's it going for you?