Essay On Dysthymia

Dysthymia and Depression: Would You Know It If You Saw It? He sees nothing but darkness, hopelessness, and despair. He is searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, but with no hope. Feeling worried and anxious, he struggles to fake that well-known smile. He is confused, struggling to understand his own feelings and emotions. He has a good life, has many good friends, and is a top student, with a happy family. He just cannot seem to put the pieces of the puzzle together and there are no apparent reasons for him to be so unhappy. So why is he, of all people, depressed? Depression is a mental illness caused by a chemical reaction in the brain. It is more than just having a bad day every now and again. Depression is reoccurring negative symptoms that happen more days than …show more content…
Many do not want to be seen as someone who is crazy, or do not want to lose the positively portrayed image that their friends, family, and peers have of them. Unfortunately, many of the symptoms can have a dramatic impact on how they lead their life, and their self-worth. Dysthymia is often referred to as a less serious form of depression, especially when compared to major depression. Both major depression and dysthymia have similar symptoms and effects, but the time frames are one of the most significant differences. Major depressive disorder often occurs in episodes, whereas dysthymia is chronic, with the possibility of episodes of major depression. The two are typically intertwined, and in the case of dysthymia, it is common to have both, referred to as double depression. Depression, more specifically dysthymia, is a serious mental illness that often slips under the radar, but with raised awareness of the signs, symptoms, and affects, can be spotted and