Chronic depression or so called dysthymia is a milder form of depression. It can affect any one who is aged eighteen and over.
While chronic depression is a milder condition of depression, the chronic depression symptoms can last in a long term and enduring melancholy state. That’s why it should be given similar concern as the other more severe forms of depression.
Chronic depression symptoms are nearly identical to those of major depression. The symptoms include loss of interest in once pleasured activities, problem with sleeping, inability to concentrate, inability to enjoy life, decrease of energy, fatigue, loss of appetite, mental and physical sluggishness, thoughts of suicide or death, trouble making decisions and thinking, feelings of guilt excessively and hopeless.
If the symptoms occur in you or one that you love, they may last for more than a year. Individuals with chronic depression can live a normal life and perform all of those ordinary tasks. However, the sufferers are unable to shake off the sadness that constantly grips them. A person with chronic depression may also experience a disorder called double depression. This depression happens when he or she suffers from an episode of major depressive and his or her mood swings towards a chronic depressive mood.
When an individual suffers from double depression, the symptoms are more severe than those of major depression, but milder than those of chronic depression.
Nevertheless, for depression to be medically categorized as chronic depression the symptoms must be there for a period lasting longer than 2 weeks. Although the symptoms may last for more than two weeks, it’s important for a health professional to make proper diagnosis on the symptoms. Once he is sure that the person is suffering from chronic depression then proper treatment can be taken.
The wonderful news is that even chronic depression is a serious disorder, it is treatable. If you are experiencing this depression you don’t have to suffer needlessly for years. Nowadays, there are many forms of medications and therapies to choose. Once you find the right treatment and medication then you can enjoy the improvement in your life.
You might also be interested in reading: Why Am I Depressed and Natural Cure For Depression
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