What is Long-Term Depression?

Depression is one of the most common-and serious-mental health problems facing people today. Each year, more than 1 in 20 Americans suffers from a depressive disorder. Dysthymia-often referred to as long-term depression-is characterized by persistent depressive symptoms that may last for years (at least two years in adults, and at least one year in children or adolescents).

While the symptoms of dysthymia are not as disabling as those for major depression, people who suffer from this depressive condition experience significantly decreased energy, general negativity, and an overall sense of dissatisfaction and hopelessness that pervades most, if not all, areas of their life.

Quite often, there is seemingly nothing to blame the onset of dysthymia on, no significant loss or life change. This can be confusing and frustrating for the person suffering from the depression, as well as for family, friends, and co-workers.

Symptoms of Dysthymia

People who suffer from dysthymia may experience varying levels of the following symptoms:

* Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood.

* Decreased interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed.

* Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism.

* Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness.

* Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping.

* Decreased energy, fatigue, feeling "slowed down."

* Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions.

* Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.

Causes

Almost 10 million Americans suffer from dysthymia each year. For some people, dysthymia is the result of a combination of factors, while for others, a single cause can be responsible for the onset of the depressive symptoms. Common contributing factors include the following:

Stressful Life Events

Catastrophic illness or death of a close family member or friend, divorce, career crisis, moving to a new place, financial problems, or any unwelcome change in life patterns can be risk factors for depression. Research also indicates that stressors in the form of social isolation or early-life deprivation can lead to permanent changes in brain function that increase susceptibility to depressive symptoms. For some individuals, stressful life events can contribute to recurrent episodes of dysthymia.

Severe or Chronic Illness

Severe or long-term illness can bring on or aggravate dysthymia. Up to 60% of chronic pain patients suffer from some degree of clinical depression. There are also illnesses that may be directly related to depressive disorders, such as strokes, heart disease, certain types of cancer, thyroid disease, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and hormonal abnormalities. When it occurs with other illnesses, dysthymia is frequently unrecognized and goes untreated. This can lead to unnecessary suffering since dysthymia is highly treatable, even when it occurs with other disorders. Individuals or family members with concerns about the occurrence of depression with another illness should discuss this issue with their physician.