This a project for a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

1. By: Ria Thakkar
CHRONIC DEPRESSION/ DYSTHYMIA

3. WHAT IS IT?
• Defined as chronic, but long term depression
• With dysthymia, you may lose interest in normal daily
activities, feel hopeless, lack productivity, and have low
self-esteem and an overall feeling of inadequacy.
• People with dysthymia are often thought of as being
overly critical, constantly complaining and incapable of
having fun.

5. SYMPTOMS
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Sadness or feeling down
• Hopelessness
• Tiredness and lack of energy
• Low self-esteem, self-criticism or feeling incapable
• Trouble concentrating and trouble making decisions
• Irritability or excessive anger
• Decreased activity, effectiveness and productivity
• Avoidance of social activities
• Feelings of guilt and worries over the past
• Poor appetite or overeating
• Sleep problems

7. HOW COMMON IS IT?
• According to the National Institute of Mental Health,
approximately 1.5% of adult Americans are affected by
dysthymia.
• Dysthymia is not as an extreme form of depression as
major depressive disorder, but most symptoms do
prevent many Americans from participating in daily
activities
• Dysthymia can begin in childhood or in adulthood
• Dysthymia is more common in women.

9. MEDICAL BACKGROUND
• As with most cases of depression, dysthymia is caused by a
variety of things. These include:
• Genetic predisposition
• Biological factors - Such as alterations in neurotransmitters,
endocrine, or inflammatory mediators
• Chronic
• Chronic medical illness
• Psychosocial factors
• Antisocial, borderline, dependent, depressive, histrionic, or
schizotypal personality traits

11. HOW IS IT TREATED?
• Early diagnosis and medical treatment
• Can often my cured by a primary care physician
• Two types of treatment are most commonly used:
psychotherapy, and antidepressant medications

13. EFFECTS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
• Psychotherapy can come in the form of one on
one therapy, family therapy, or group therapy
• Essentially, the patient is encouraged to speak
about their feelings with the disorder in an open,
friendly, and safe environment

15. PREVENTION
• Early diagnosis is the key factor in prevention of depression
• If you feel you relationships are suffering, you feel you have an
excessively negative attitude, or you’ve considered suicide,
please see a doctor

17. ANTIDEPRESSANT/ MEDICATIONS
• Antidepressants take 6 to 9 weeks to take full effect, so give it
some time
• Antidepressants are essentially stimulants, in the same category
as caffeine
• Antidepressants usually have some uncomfortable side effects,
such as nausea and rashes

21. SOURCES
• http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/chronic-depression-dysthymia
• http://psychcentral.com/lib/a-current-look-at-chronic-depression/
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysthymia/basics/symptoms/con-20033879