Ask Me Help Desk - Dysthymia

I was diagnosed with dysthymia last September.I took an over dose and ended up in mental ward for several weeks.for as long as I can remember I've been low.am 31 and felt this way since I was at school at least.my mother had depression to.I was always depressed for years then I would pick up and feel OK for a few weeks then depression came back.I never new that anything was wrong id always felt this way.I hated life and never enjoyed anything.never held down a job for long.the only relief I got was in the evening always felt a little better.never slept well at all.energy levels were always low.I felt 3 steps behind everyone else.I do exercise runnng and eat healthy never took drugs or drink.I have bad social anxiety prevents me from doing lots of thing.so I had enough and took an overdose.ive researched dysthymia and its me.cant believe that there was something wrong with me.my doc wants to start me on anti depressants but amwary of them.can there really help and is it possible to live a relatively normal life.I personalty don't believe I can because I've always been like this. Am I destined to live like this for ever.

Let's start by saying that I am not a doctor, and this is strictly my opinion and not meant to replace medical advice.

Say you don't take the medication, you will continue on until the end the way you have always been. Possibly taking more attempts on your life, and never truly living your life. That is probably what will happen.

Now suppose you trust your doctor enough to let him/her help you. This could go a couple different ways. The medication could help, because they have been proven to help people in similar situations. You will deal with some side effects possibly, and may live a pretty "normal" life. You may start to enjoy things you never did, and see things you never really saw. On the other hand the medication may not work, as it doesn't work for everyone, then you are no worse off than you are right now.

Don't worry about the treatment not working until you have given it a chance, remember that a medication regimine is never permanent. You can talk to your doctor and go off the meds anytime you no longer feel comfortable taking them. If you are worried about the side effects, they probably aren't much worse than what you are going through 24/7 now. You can get a 2nd opinion for your diagonose, and you can even choose homeopathic, holistic, accupuncture, accupressure, reflexology, psychiatry, or traditional medicine. It is up to you, check out all the options and talk to your doctor about what you think will work for you.

There are tons of people living with depression, and there are tons of people dying with it. You have to choose which category you want to be in.

Finding an antidepressant that works is like seeing the sun for the first time. It's worth it to try, just try and see.

/try not to feel as though things will always be like this... please see your doctor and have some medical counseling. Medication has helped many people and there are many drugs out there to try. You may not improve 100%, but you could get to 70-80, and that sure would be better than at zero. Don't give up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollyoaks

i was diagnosed with dysthymia last september.i took an over dose and ended up in mental ward for several weeks.for as long as i can remember ive been low.am 31 and felt this way since i was at school at least.my mother had depression to.i was always depressed for years then i would pick up and feel ok for a few weeks then depression came back.i never new that anything was wrong id always felt this way.i hated life and never enjoyed anything.never held down a job for long.the only relief i got was in the evening always felt a little better.never slept well at all.energy levels were always low.i felt 3 steps behind everyone else.i do exercise runnng and eat healthy never took drugs or drink.i have bad social anxiety prevents me from doing lots of thing.so i had enough and took an overdose.ive researched dysthymia and its me.cant belive that there was something wrong with me.my doc wants to start me on anti depressants but amwary of them.can there really help and is it possible to live a relatively normal life.i personalty dont belive i can because ive always been like this. am i destined to live like this for ever.

Hello HollyOaks,

Listen, you have no idea just how much medicine will help. Several years ago, I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder, rapid cycling. (Thats the most severe kind) I was in total denial about it for some time. But when it was positively diagnosed, I had to face it.

The first thing that you must understand is that this is an illness, just like diabetes, hyper-tension and so forth. It is not your head that is screwed up because you are odd or crazy. You have a disease, just like many others. Only this one causes there to be a chemical imbalance in your brain.

Now tell me, would you think that someone that is diabetic is crazy for taking his medicin? Of cause not. So, there is no shame what so ever in taking medication that will help you lead a normal life.

Once I started my medications, my life became so much better. But I won't lead you astray. There were a few set backs. For one, it took a while to find just the right meds. For me. So, keep in mind that if you experience any side effects, or do not find relief, to communicate this to your doctor. It may take several tries to find the right med. For you. Don't get discouraged.

The biggest benefit will be that you will start feeling joy in life again. You should try to find a hobby that will make you enjoy life. Be open minded when you choose. Then, keep in mind, that there are many hobbies for which there are clubs in your area.

For example; A 22 year old relative of mine, suffered just as you did. He is very shy and does not care for big social situations. He still lives at home as well. Once he found the right medication, he began building model airplanes and helicopter. Later he joinded a local Model Aircraft Club. He has since met several new friends, men and women, with whom he regularly assiciates. His whole life is turned around.

So you see, don't be afraid of treating a disease. Medication and also therapy (one on one is good) could really turn your whole life around.

Regards and good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollyoaks

i was diagnosed with dysthymia last september.i took an over dose and ended up in mental ward for several weeks.for as long as i can remember ive been low.am 31 and felt this way since i was at school at least.my mother had depression to.i was always depressed for years then i would pick up and feel ok for a few weeks then depression came back.i never new that anything was wrong id always felt this way.i hated life and never enjoyed anything.never held down a job for long.the only relief i got was in the evening always felt a little better.never slept well at all.energy levels were always low.i felt 3 steps behind everyone else.i do exercise runnng and eat healthy never took drugs or drink.i have bad social anxiety prevents me from doing lots of thing.so i had enough and took an overdose.ive researched dysthymia and its me.cant belive that there was something wrong with me.my doc wants to start me on anti depressants but amwary of them.can there really help and is it possible to live a relatively normal life.i personalty dont belive i can because ive always been like this. am i destined to live like this for ever.

I think I can help you with this. I am 50 years old. At around 38 or 39 I decided that I had to do something about my foreboding, anxious,sad life. I was depressed for the majority of my life up until then. When I told my story to a psychologist, she said I had dysthymia. I remember the clencher was when I told her that I could look at a family photo album and each time I saw my face, I could remember that day and how badly I felt. So... she
Sent me to a psychiatrist. I was prescribed zoloft. It took a few days to kick in but when it did, it was like some light had been turned on. I felt better than I ever had in my life. It wasn't a "high" like a drunken state or something, it was more like seeing clearly, full awareness. I was quicker with wit, sharper in general.

Every person has different chemistry and zoloft may not be the antidepressant for you. Sometimes you have to use trial and error until you get it right. My zoloft would have to be increased as I would build up a tolerance. In the last 12 years I have gone up and down the scale of zoloft strength.
You have to taper up and down. Don't EVER stop it cold turkey. Not this or any antidepressant. I've tried other meds (paxil,welbutrin,effexor,) but none worked as well for ME as zoloft. I believe I will be taking this for the rest of my life.

Depression runs in families. Do you know any other family members that suffer from depression? I wouldn't be surprised. My sister and my daughter are also on antidepressants. In hind sight, I can see that my grandmother was depressed most of the time. She would cry at the drop of a hat, always anxious, always, nervous. And I know that her father, (my great grandfather) was in a mental hospital when he died. That was way before the great meds that are available to us today.

I am never ashamed to tell anyone I take zoloft. Dysthymia is a cronic biological chemical depression. A shortage of serotonin in your brain. FOR ME, I always want to emphasize that, the effects have never been as strong as that initial time in 1997. But, I am still much better than before when I was not taking anything. My sister put it this way.
"Sometimes I still get blue, but I don't get black anymore." Keep me posted. Bless you for reaching out.

Everyone seems to have given you great advice. Sometimes you get in a place where you are comfortable, you can predict how you will feel, how you will react, and how you will cope. When someone goes on anti-dperessants, it is a change, and change is anxiety provoking sometimes, even if it is for the good. You will feel less despressed, but at first it may be uncomfortable... commit to it for awhile, communicate with your doctor, and get counseling at the same time... there is a whole life out there waiting for you! :)