The exact cause of dysthymia is unknown. It tends to run in families. Dysthymia occurs more often in women than in men and affects up to 5% of the general population.
The main symptom of dysthymia is a low, dark, or sad mood on most days for at least 2 years. In children and adolescents, the mood can be irritable instead of depressed and may last for at least 1 year.
In addition, two or more of the following symptoms will be present almost all of the time that the person has dysthymia:
- Feelings of hopelessness
- Too little or too much sleep
- Low energy or fatigue
- Low self-esteem
- Poor appetite or overeating
- Poor concentration
People with dysthymia will often take a negative or discouraging view of themselves, their future, other people, and life events. Problems often seem more difficult to solve. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001916/)
I had the third visit with the counselor the other day and after telling her of the stresses, trouble concentrating at work, et al, she asked me to consider dysthymia. I think that’s why I haven’t updated. It’s overwhelming to consider that there might actually be something physical causing my trouble sleeping, trouble focusing, poor self-esteem, and over-eating.
I guess the light that I’m trying to consider is that if there’s a cause, there can be a cure. But that’s something I’m still looking into. In the mean time, I’ve re-joined sparkpeople and posted a blog about my “ah-ha” moment over there. Since I just re-joined that site, I’m not really diving into the “Hey! I have issues..” thing, but I told of looking through our engagement pictures and completely ruining the experience for myself by being so self-critical. So, first things first – the 3 W goals for the week – Water, Wake, Walk. 64 oz of water, 1 get-up-and-go song/day, and go for 1 walk/day.
The last time I got to good it was through sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Maybe it can work again ❤
MegsFitness 