A
female
age
30-35,
*xcsdiana
writes:Hi guys.. So I found out in October 2011, that I have dysthymia disorder. I have a really hard time talking to people other than my mom (who is my bestfriend despite a lot of shit she put me through when I was a child) about how I'm really feeling on the inside. I'm a freshman in university. When I went back home for Christmas, I was put on medication for my depression and have gone through a couple rough patches but overall feel a little healthier mentally. But since I have come back from home (which is halfway across the world), I feel like I have lost complete interest in my academics. I'm studying recreation management. Last semester I was so interested in all my classes and aspired to get good grades and pass all my courses- which I did! But now everything is so different, and I just feel like I can't be bothered to go to class anymore. I actually really really want to care and be interested, but I don't know how to do it.. Everything used to just come so naturally to me. I think I'm having a bit of a mental breakdown right now. I started self harming in 7th grade and haven't really stopped, but have slowed down. I also have adhd, and this is sometimes SO INCREDIBLY frustrating. I also have OCD, and this is a pain in the arse to deal with too. I just want to know, to anyone who has depression due to a chemical imbalance as well as past events throughout life... does it ever go away? Because it's been a long time since I've been happy for a long period of time or content, to say the least, that I'm so used to feeling this way it feels completely normal. PLEASE don't be mean, try to give positive advice or feedback. And thank you so so much to those who bothered to read this whole thing.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 February 2012): I don't think it will ever go away "by itself", you need to actively get it treated to alleviate its effects on you. it's like how if you're born near-sighted or far-sighted, and you don't do anything about it, the blurry vision won't go away just from waiting it out, you would need to get some treatment done for your vision problems like get contact lenses or laser eye surgery. Same thing with chronic depression, I believe. It won't go away just by itself but if you "do something" you can alleviate it, you just need to find what works for you. Different people respond to different medications and therapies. good luck.
A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (24 February 2012): Get good sleep I would say in a blacked out room.Make sure you're on a healthy diet paleo eat mono unsaturated fats like coconut oil or olive oil. don't forget to work out even if it's just a walk around the park for 10 minutes. There's a story that I love that I come to repeatedly over and over that helps me when ever I feel down.A chinese farmer's neighbors came over to offer him their sympathy after his horse ran away. "I'm not so sure it's a misfortune", said the farmer. The neighbors left, shaking their heads.The next day, the farmer's horse returned, and three wild horses came home with him. The neighbors returned to congratulate the farmer on his good fortune. "I'm not certain that it is good fortune", replied the farmer. The neighbors left, more bemused than before.Later that week, the farmer's son broke his leg trying to train one of the new horses, and the neighbors came by to offer condolences. "I'm not sure this is a misfortune", said the farmer again. The neighbors left, discussing the man's mental state among themselves.The next day, the emperor came through, gathering up young men to be in his army. They bypassed the farmer's son, since he had a broken leg.It sounds like you suffered a lot of abuse when you were younger and therapy will help you form a narrative/story of your childhood.Anyway it's good that you are getting therapy good luck to you.
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female
reader, person12345  +, writes (24 February 2012):
 It may not ever fully go away. But it can be controlled with therapy and a medication. You need to find a real psychologist to talk you through this. She/he can recommend a course of treatment and will teach you exercises you can do on your own time to help ease the depression and she/he may recommend you go see a psychiatrist for a medication to help.
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female
reader, Miamine  +, writes (24 February 2012):
 Not being mean babes, ok, this is how I understand it so far. Some people have the depression gene, or the manic gene, or gene's for mental problems. That's why bi-polar and depression can be tracked far back in family history. They've also found similar links for people who are sociopaths and psychopaths, but that's not the end of the story. Some people whose minds have the ability to have mental health problems never display them. Say if your life is wonderful, you have great parents, lots of money and never have any problem anywhere, you also have parents who give you lots of love and teach you always to be happy, yes you might have a biological tendency to depression, but because nothing in life hurts you, it never comes out.
That's why some people have depression because they have a bad life, but other people have the same bad life, but manage to challenge it and use it to make themselves successful. You need a trigger, but you also need the imbalance.
Doctors are not interested in the successful depressed. If their mental state causes no problems, then there is no reason in fixing anything. Mental states only become a problem when they interfere in your life. So if you've been self-harming or are constantly in a low mood, they will give you therapy and medicine because you cannot cope with life all by yourself.
Will it go away eventually.. really depends on your level of depression. Because you've self harmed, and even with tablets your mood is still low this may be something you have to deal with for the rest of your life. But that doesn't mean you won't get long periods when you are happy and the dysthymia (low mood) doesn't affect you so much. My friend hasn't had an episode in 10years, but he still classes himself as a depressed person, because if he isn't careful, if he has a trigger the sad mood could easily come back.
You have to keep up your treatments, including therapy and/or medicine if they have given you this. But that is not the end of the story, you have to also practise self-help if you want to become one of the walking unwell. Self help means keeping a diary to record when your moods are better or worse and what has caused this. Notice any triggers or anything that makes you feel better and do more of this. Sleep is very important. You need to sleep enough, lack of sleep or too much sleep is also a trigger for you feeling unwell. Because you have self-harmed, it is important to attend therapy and find out how to safely express yourself and how to cope with difficult emotions like frustration, sadness and anger. You need to learn to talk to people and head of any crisis before it happens. Eat good healthy foods, some foods can make things worse, a diet of fast foods isn't good for the brain. Stay away from alcohol and drugs. Make sure you have good friends, build some social events into your life, have goals that you want to reach, and also have some me time, to listen to music, read a book and just be at peace.
Yoga is brilliant for helping to rebalance your mind and emotions. Some spirituality of any kind will also help you to believe that life has a purpose.
Mental illness can be a life time disorder, but it's not all bad, it can also give you strengths and insights you never knew about the world. Your tablets may be the wrong ones, so keep in contact with your doctor, maybe your medication needs changing.
Don't feel so down, I can't promise that it will all go away, but I can say that many people do find themselves getting better. Many people with your condition do go out and get jobs, have fun and find romantic partners. But you must continue the treatment, you must track your moods, you must stay away from all forms of stress or distress, and you call for help anytime you believe yourself to be getting worse.
Please go back to your doctors and your therapist, tell them what you told us, ask if there is anything more you could do to get a little happiness into your life. Because your problems are off a complicated/multifacted nature, it will be very hard to provide relief as quickly as you'd like. Think of your illness like Diabetes, some people will get better and no longer need treatment, some people will have it all their life and it can get worse. No one wants to have sickness, but we don't get to choose what we have to deal with in life.
http://www.patientslikeme.com (Advice and support and mood charting)
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female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (24 February 2012):
 Apparently about 75% of cases of Dysthymia respond positively when treated by a combination of talk therapy ( CBT or psychodynamic seem to be the most successful ) plus meds ( SSRIs ). And for the resistent 25% , there's other stuff that can be done, and other different therapeutical approaches - but you need to see a doctor first. A shrink. Not just some generic counselor, a psychotherapist that can both prescribe/ monitor your meds and guide your talk therapy percourse .
Tbh, dysthymia disorder is chronic by definition, which probably means that you'll always have some trouble to feel enthusiastic or elated or stay motivated about things. But, with proper treatment, NOT to the point it will interfere with your work, studies, social life and capability to be productive,i.e. not like now.
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reader, anonymous, writes (24 February 2012): It comes and goes OP. Ups and downs, peaks and troughs. That's the joys of depression, if you'll excuse the oxymoron.
First things first though you need to set up a support network of people you can talk to no matter how low you're feeling. The reason your depressive episodes last so long is because you don't have that outlet, it's incredibly tough to open up when you're feeling that way but just like getting up in the morning and brushing your teeth, it has to be done. It's non-negotiable OP because depression stays 10 times as long when it's bottled in.
You need to talk to your doctor about gaining access to psychotherapy which is far more effective for dysthymia than drugs are.
Things can and do get better but you have to fight OP, you have to get up each day and take care of your routine. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, when problems present themselves to you, deal with them on the spot so they don't plague you.
The best way I discovered to fight depression was to always have something in your life worth fighting for. Just fighting to be happy is never enough I found, you need something concrete that you can grasp. Whether that's doing a college course or learning a new language, having goals and activities that you like and enjoy, little things to achieve is great for motivation and achievements are always good for raising self esteem and confidence. They're not a cure but they're a good distraction.
Talking and having an active life filled with good things is the best way deal with depression in my experience. Never stop trying to achieve things no matter how small. Never lie down and accept that you're somehow just going to be sad all the time and you have no hope. You can make hope and you can make happiness but you have to be patient and you have to fight.
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reader, anonymous, writes (24 February 2012): Hi, I am sorry that things are so difficult for you. I to have experienced depression due to a chemical imbalance, and went through a really dark period in my life due to that and past bad experinces in my life. I lost all interest in just about everything, but with a combination of being on medication and going to a counselor I made it through. It was hard to break the cycle of self-loathing thoughts, but I did make it through. I no longer am on medication and have just finished sessions with my counselor as she found that I no longer needed to see her regularly. I am now able to function in the world and have managed to come through to the light. So yes with hard work and support it can go away, of course you will still have moments that you feel down, but it won't be so dark and all encompassing, nor does it weigh as heavily on you because you have the knowledge on how to deal with those feelings. You can get through this and enjoy life and even look forward to the future, don't give up and although it's hard you can and will get through it. Good Luck.
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female
reader, Dear Mandy +, writes (24 February 2012):
 HI
It's no wonder why you have lost motivation, you have so much going on with your life & health. Are you going counciling? If not I would definatley seek help with a councilor for all what your going through. Self harming is sadly quite common, because of self loathing, it's good your not doing this as much BUT you really need to stop this completely. Seeking proffessional help for all of what your going through is the BEST way forward to the road to recoverey, It will take some time to get to the route of all you have/are suffering with but YOU will have to make that move into that direction. You have already made the first move by recognising the issues, and this is fantastic. You CAN do this, your a smart woman, intelligent,and still young enough to turn your life around for the better. It wont be easy but you will get there with the right kind of help.
Mandy x
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reader, anonymous, writes (24 February 2012): I don't know if it goes away, but I can tell you that you're not alone. I just keep telling myself that if I'm alive and breathing, everything's alright. So long as I'm alive and kickin', I have the ability to change anything in my life. You have to ask yourself... What's the worst that could happen? And if your answer still involves you being alive, then everything will still have potential to be fixed, even with the absolute worst outcome. Keep the hope alive.
Remember,
You're alive and breathing.
It's all that matters.
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