How Dysthymia Has Affected Me

[funtcucker1]

were you tossing the salad?

[shrinerspark]

@funtcucker1 Huh?

[INFJman]

Hello Shrinerspark !! I know exactly were you are at, I also have dysthymia as well as anhedoina, labile, somatic, social, ocd (mild), MDD, anxiety and everything that goe's with it.

[Kamikazekris100]

Despite all my rage i am still just a rat in a cage!!!!!!!

[zerosoma33]

@Kamikazekris100

I love SP!

[PrairieThunderFan1]

ive had dysthymic disorder for about 4 years now. its horrible. you wake up feeling like crap. you go to school, bad mood, angry all the time. i isolate my self from people and when im at school, kids have fun and have no hassle talking to other kids, but for me, its very difficult. it makes me sad how i have almost no social life whatsoever and im always alone. when im with someone, i easily get agitated and isolate my self. and it just gets worse.

[devilxking2]

@PrairieThunderFan1 sucks for you bro

[akxeman]

@PrairieThunderFan1 Hi - like yourself, I have dysthymia. its awful. I was angy - hot tempter and a fighter - for most of my life. My doc thought I was bipolar for a while. But it turns out the anger was due to me fighting the dysthemia all the time. It's just frustrating, you know? Try to recognize the type of enemy, and know that fighting it only leads to anger. Just tyring to help.

[AngeloNiklis]

I love it when boring 6+ minute videos are this interesting!

[shrinerspark]

@AngeloNiklis I can't decide if this comment is a compliment or an insult.

[AngeloNiklis]

@shrinerspark

Neither, really. It was just that at 6 minute mark I had realized I had watched the whole thing and found it interesting, and you were just talking.

[jjobie]

@shrinerspark Whatever the case, it's a unique contradiction in terms, don't you think?

[L0rdJupiter]

I've never been to psychiatrist because I'm too ashamed of what is happening to me. I'm 21 and I feel this way since I was 14. The saddest thing is - I'm smiling and laughing all the time just to hide it, and I'm getting even more depressed because of it. -.-

[rahxun]

I'm not sure if I have dysthimia, but I've been feeling down for most the the days for at least a year. do I need to wait for another year to see if I really have dysthimia?

[retreatgrl]

I have been dx with dysthymic disorder last year. but these symptoms have been with me all of my life. it's just a really bad place in my head last year that caused me to go to an councilor. it's a struggle for a now 30 yr old to think this is whats going to be with me for all of my life. 

[newyorker122]

I have just been diagnosed with Dysthimia today and I've been online and stumbled across your video in my searches. The Liscenced Clinical Psychotherapist whom I've been working with is going to make a suggestion to my doctor to prescribe Fluxotene or as most people know it, Prozac. How have you been doing recently. this video was done three years ago. I guess I'm wondering, Does medication actually work? Does it take care of symptoms, because I'd like to do anything to get out of my funk.

[JaguerRhye]

Thanks for the video

[JaguerRhye]

I've been depressed for over a year now since my grandfather died. My depression has been so bad, I ended up cancelling my wedding. I think I might have this dythymic disorder.

[86andthensome]

don't be ashamed if you have it, just recognise it and do all you can to enhance your life :)

[cerise333]

I have dysthymia as well have had it for longggg after clinical depression I wonder why people never understand these things or they think youre in a bad mood or sad or angry or they dont understand why you just do not feel like seeing anyone or doing anything its mostly like i have to fake that Im ok or fake that Im interested in something in order for people to take me seriously ..it gets boring I wonder if it ever goes away I cant afford pills either so...

[masterbluebeard]

I also have Dysthymia. I was diagnosed with it about 2 years ago, which helped answer a lot of questions for me, since my life had been largely down on and off for about 8 years up until that point. It has caused me a lot of problems in school over the years, and it has been hard to keep myself on track. I was on anti-depressants for it once but when I wasn't able to afford the pills and was off them for a couple weeks they stopped working. It's a tough disorder to deal with.

[micropage7]

i dunno.. but few week ago i take a small test bout it and found that maybe i got dysthymia.

before it i just realize that thare's something wrong with me and it has been about 10 years i just go struggling with myself

later i feel so exhausted of my life,ask myself is this life really worth for?, i like being alone more than before, i feel unsecure in the crowded, my life feels like long sad tunnel that i can't find the way out.. and it's lucky that i can hold on until now.. but i dunno

[JoAshbridge]

I think I may have this, I've been diagnosed with depression but I feel like I've had it in a mild form for years and years. I'm indecisive to the point of being annoying, I feel uncomfortable talking to people most of the time and I'm really harsh on myself about everything. From the outside I probably seem confident and fun but I dont feel like that. I've been on prozac for 5 weeks, but its making me sit in my room like a zombee having little interest in anything! I've read it will pass : S

[darkchakra123]

Dysthymia can be treated well in today's society. Please seek help. That is what I am doing.

[sakucherrry]

It's weird, I think I'm dysthymic, and I tend to isolate myself a lot. Unlike a lot of people I know who have difficulty making friends, and hate being alone (even though they are alone), I seriously don't mind being alone. I like it. Is that even normal?

xD

[CameraManSW]

Nope sounds like you've given up because were social animals.

[HijabulousTV]

I was diagnosed with this back in september. I never understood it fully till I watched this!

Also, I realized you talk and sound like I do when I'm rambling about myself on camera lol.

[ewolie]

If u r more or less in this situation do ask for SSRI. It is much better than standin. The hardest part of distimia is that its not so severe to be unstandable, you dont cry like depression, but its not easy to develop yourself.

[Chopinsnocturnes]

very informative video. Dysthymic disorder usually begins in adolescence and is usually treated with an SSRI. SSRIs are the current treatment of choice.

[fallbread]

good vid yes i agree

[kiminokami]

Most of the time, depressive disorders require treatment involving the use of BOTH medication and verbal therapy.

[LittleBoiFen]

Major depressive episodes definitely need medication AND verbal therapy, but minor episodes don't always. Instead they can be controlled (depending on the person, of course) with plenty of physical exercise and a good diet.

[ElFrankus]

Well, I hope you don´t think that Dysthimia is "an episode"...or "minor"...It´s not. it´s an acute condition, that has to occur permanently for at least 2 years...in order to get medicated. Dysthimia is no joke

[kiminokami]

"Minor" doesn't mean "not real," it just means that it seems less severe than the other one. You are right that dysthymia is not just "an episode" of something.

[Gothicfearcult]

I have Dysthymia, GAD, and Panic Attack disorder....

[Chopinsnocturnes]

I have dysthymic disorder and GAD. I take Lexapro and buspar daily. It's under control for me.

[Gothicfearcult]

i don't take anything. so, i am usually fucked up....

[Chopinsnocturnes]

Sorry to read that Gothicfearcult. Have you tried medication? Mine really helps me and I've been on it since probably 2001. SSRIs are beneficial and are the treatment of choice according to what I've read.

[sakucherrry]

@Gothicfearcult

likewise

[YummyCoockie]

I'm also dysthymic, and it's fucking hell. I'm just not like anyone else i know. everyone has always wondered why am i always in a bad mood, why am i always sad etc etc. and began simply seeing me as a mad and angry person. but no one knows i'm sick and that it's not my fault. I just isolate myself....i hate it, i can't make myself, motivate myself to communicate....

[sistagirl488deleted]

my feelings exactly

[trje246]

@YummyCoockie i read what you said, and i am the same.

[ElFrankus]

I have Dysthymia. I began taking L-DOPA two weeks ago. I feel GREAATT - My Dysthimia is in remission. I think Sinemet is better for Dysthymia than Prozac. It is not a Serotonin problem, it is a Dopamine problem. If you have depressive symptoms do not ignore them, act right away. It is not your personality, it is the brain, malfunctioning. For those out there suspecting Dysthymia; don´t suspect anymore, act, don´t delay.

[LittleBoiFen]

Prozac's good for depression, rather than dysthymia.

[ElFrankus]

Yeah, but doctors prescribe Serotonine (which is what Prozac is) rather that Dopamine, which is what is actually needed for Dysthimia. Thing is that Dopamine´s role in Dysthimia (which is a less powerful depression..but actually packs a punch) is new, and many doctors don´t know it yet.

[Medifro]

I'm dysthymic myself, and been getting MUCH better with LONG term treatment. Its a chronic disease that gets so SO infused with your life style. Dont give up, its curable, you need patience, and LONG term treatment.

I had it for 6 years now, been in treatment for 4, i took too long because i wasnt regular. I made it regular and had a drastic improvement over 1 single year.

[reinforcedpenisstem]

I have dysthymia too and it is crippling me badly. I can't stand the idea that the rest of my life will be as difficult as it is with it.

[crazymanthomas1654]

I was diagnosed this in september. i have had manic episodes as well. I think thats what they were. I had my thoughts running to fast, I couldnt concentrate , I had voices tell me to kill myself and I felt like I couldnt controll my body.

[caprico74]

Compare the following mood disorders: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymia.

Yes you have described manic episode -- though it could be hypomanic episode (hypomanic has a shorter duration).

If you experience out of body feelings, then look into dissociative disorder. Of course, follow your doc's orders.

[crazymanthomas1654]

I'm not sure what cyclothymia is but thatnks for understanding. I will ask my counsellor about that next time I see her.

[ladyofshalott]

Just wanted to say that I found your video interesting and stuff. I'm just now discussing with my current therapist the possibility of dysthymia, so we'll see how that works out. I think I know what you mean about therapist who aren't helpful (or are helpful for a bit, but then they don't anymore). I hope you can find someone that can help you.

[cerise333]

hey there I have anhedonia and im not sure about dystimia now just was looking for something that was at least a little bit close to my disorder since it seems like theres nobody at all who has this freakin disorder...its weird because im being treated for depression but I know I have anhedonia I just cannot be happy or sad or anything at all its weird though sometimes I do start like crying and stuff for no reason and then it goes but lately I just have no emotions...so yeah imhereifuwanttotalk

[colin2100]

I've had all the symptoms of dysthymia eversince i was a kid around 7 or 8, I never took any notice of it until recently (i'm now 21). I've been diagnosed with depression before, they gave me some drugs but they didn't help. Anyway, I know exactly what your saying, this ever-present, morose, sadness feels like a part of my personality also. For a long time I thought I was the only one who felt like I did as no-one around me was the same. It makes me feel a little better knowing theres others :)

[clambii]

I finally got help after my girlfriend of four years "divorced" me because she wanted to be with someone who wasn't so cynical and DEPRESSING. I found out that I'm actually quite normal and now I've channeled it into my writing and I've just decided that it's who I am. I don't want it any other way.

[pleaseGodhelpme2]

The same works for me :-) I feel better as I know I am not the only one... I just hope we will find a way to be better! For me it lasts almost whole my life - I don't know who am I as this has become a part of my personality too :-/

[MrCartoonguy]

In that case I can honestly say.....You must be doing well.......feeling dysthymic is much harsher than what psychiatry gives credit for.

I need my highs or good times........respect to you and I hope you get well soon!

[MrCartoonguy]

do you ever becomr very euphorically happy or energised,confident and top of the world?

[shrinerspark]

No, I don't have cyclothymia, or any other form of bipolar. But thanks for asking. :)

[themainthing1974]

I've had dysthymia for many years. I have recently begun taking Prozac and I've also kicked my caffeine habit and started eating healthier. It's made a huge difference!

[57world57]

i hate my dysthymia

[andrew881thebest]

you're ugly, probably if you made yorself more attracitve you would like yourself more...it's only an advice, don't take it as an offense, I could say the same to me

[mollutje]

wow.. great job at cheering people up.. who on earth would like to hear this?

[ossypsychee]

she's not fucking ugly at all. wtf man.

[hedgehoghead01]

you are an absolute fucking jackass.

[andrew881thebest]

I do my best to help people...even telling them a truth not easy to accept sometimes...I'm definitely not hypocritical

[hedgehoghead01]

fair enoughbut if you just stop and think this is a depressed person and you are telling them they are ugly.. how is that going to make them feel? and besides its not fact its opininion she may be ugly to you, but she may be beautifull to somebody else

[spinpsychle]

You know, I couldn't find a therapy that worked either.

[calikaren71]

draz, so is it safe to say that you're one of those Scientology freaks/zealots? If you truly believe that, I sure hope you're no one's parent, partner, friend, etc. Your cynicism is pathetic, judgmental, & WAY off base.

[Anticyclonic]

Good video. For a moment I thought I was watching myself speak. I was diagnosed with dysthymia in early February of 2000, a few weeks after I had a nervous breakdown (people who know me on Youtube would be surprised to hear that!). In all, I have 5 formally-diagnosed anxiety disorders, I display symptoms of two others, and I was hooked on tranquilizers for years. I speak very freely about my disorders; it took a while to able to, but I'm not ashamed of them. I'm a veteran of this & I'm only 30!

[Blitzingtakin]

Anyone else get psychotic symptoms with their dysthymia like smelling or tasting? I get that with mine a lot. Had Dysthymia my whole life but not until recently I have been getting that and I'm hoping I'm not developing schizophrenia which is in my family.

[inkoutsidethebox]

.& views your videos get, what you bring to the world matters to a lot of people. Perhaps you should realise/acknowledge this more? It's easy to feel insignificant in a world filled with people who seem to have it all figured out, but never underestimate the butterfly effect that your words and actions can initiate. Every single person has something to offer, you can learn valuable things from every single person you meet, we each have infinite potential to achieve when we know our self-worth.

[inkoutsidethebox]

I've recently realised that the chronic low mood I've had for so many years fits with the criteria of dysthymia - and I find hope in knowing this! I hope you will too. You say that you feel it is part of your personality, I choose to believe the opposite is true, that dysthymia obscures my true personality, it interferes with who I Really am as a person. Knowing this encourages me to - not change - but revert back to my true self. What you say does reach people, look at how many comments...

[pleaseGodhelpme2]

I also hope it is not a part of my personality. I can really feel this blockade that stops me from being myself like trapped in a cage and can't get out of it. As almost my whole life like that I feel still like a teenager for more than 10 years :-(

[garybecca]

i was diagnoed with dysthymia 2 years ago.beenliving with this illness since i was a child 20 years of my life wasted.also have general anixty disorder.tried different anti depressents meds.but taking 2 years but now am on lofepramine like seeing the sun for the first time.fucking amazing.also cannabis really helps anixty.

[AllBusiness14701]

i have dysthymia. it sucks. im trying so hard to find the right medication and i never seem to get anywhere. seeing other people with it helps me medicate. keep trying hard.

[roxyrover]

watch what you tell yourself you have a tendency too believe what you tell yourself

[nickyboy22071989]

dysthymia is hell

[dogman75]

Hi, I was diagnosed with dysthymia and social maladjustment recently (3 days ago), what the clinician explained to me was, its a mild sort of depression and i lucky for me I dont need any meds , just counseling and I excersice regularly, I noticed that helps me get a good image about myself, and boost up my confidence, I congratulate you for letting everyone know what problems you have.

[LessAmbivalent]

I meant to say that your video has helped me realise that I need to seek help at last. I truly believe that if I talk about my life that I'll be able to change some things about it and that I'll get some relief. I hope you are coping with yours right and thank you once again.

[LessAmbivalent]

Thank you for this. I've been suffering with the symptoms of this disease since I was about your age. However, it's only today that I've heard a name for the form of illness. I'm certain that it applies to me

[nith950]

Oh thanks generationes of scientists were wrong after all: You have profen it to us. By the way what do you think Borderline Personality disorder or Dysthymia is?

[youtumor45678]

I've suffered from this condition my whole life, sometimes being interspersed with double-depression. I've recently been put on sertraline (Zoloft), and I do believe it is working.

I doubt, however, that this condition will ever completely go away. It will forever be my cross to bear, but through counseling and meds, I've been feeling tremendously better. No one should rule out psychotherapy or medication.

[boondoggle89]

yes, psychiatry is a pseudoscience however i dont think you can say theres no such thing as mental illness. i dont know if your just trying to be philosophical using a term like pseudoscience but seriously..people die from mental illness..peoples lives are ruined..and no, its not psychiatry that causes it. if it does, explain to me how i got depression before ever visiting a psychiatrist or anything like that? i dont want to judge you because i dont know your story but thats just my opinion...

[shrinerspark]

I never said there was no such thing as mental illness. I know there is. I have suffered from them, and still suffer from them. Why would I say they don't exist?

[boondoggle89]

ohh..sorry. when i was writing that comment i forgot to mention that i was replying to the person who commented below me: draziom99. i accidentaly marked them as spam and then gave up on the whole proper reply thing so just posted a normal comment. so sorry for the confusion, i know you wouldn't say a thing like that.

[AarmOZ]

WoW!!! That is so me. I was diagnosed with dythymic disorder after being admitted to a psychiatric ward. I would have sudden and prologned spells of depression and often idealized homicide/suicide. Twice I have actually attempted suicided and prior to attempting my third time I had a panic attack. I guess it is rare for guys like me to have it.

[KeikiKitsune]

I was diagnosed with dysthymia and perscribed wellbrutin. It didnt help me. I think we're perminantly fucked. Theres nothing anyone or anything that can help with dysthymia. It fucking blows. NOTHINGGGGG lol My relationships with men, now that i think about it, have gone to shit becuase of dysthymia. I've hurt so many people.

[MudPeople85]

yeah, i was just diagnosed wit Disthymia a couple weeks ago. I never knew i had such a disorder. I just always wondered how everyone else is much more happier than i am. Then i tried to really hurt myself. What kind of treatment do the doctors do for you?

[GrendPeppy]

thank you so much for this video tho... i hope to provide a video response someday soon and start sharing my experiences too

[GrendPeppy]

i've also had major depression when i was 15, but bounced back to my old self within a few months of medication... ever since then, when i've been feeling down or blue or unhappy with my life, it was labelled as depression and i've been taking ssri's since but that feeling has never gone away... i too believe that my personality has been heavily influenced by this, unfortunately :(

[GrendPeppy]

thank you for this video... i think i've had dysthymia for just about 7 years now and i've just realized there was a known condition for how i feel.

[tulipmaiden]

I'm going to do you a video response because it really relates so much to my own issues. Yes, Dysthymic Disorder too. Since I was 12. And yeah, a multitude of other things on top, but dysthymia the core. Thanks for this vid. Luv Eliz

[shrinerspark]

No problem at all... I was actually pleased when I realized that this one had become a half-decent commentary on dysthymic disorder. Too many people who have it don't have any idea it exists, or that other people struggle with it, and if I can help remedy that for even a few people I am happy. (And extremely idealistic. Haha.)

[AlyciaMalibu]

Horray! Your videos are working properly again!!!! YAY!

[shrinerspark]

I know!!! :D. I'm so happy.

[jennfriedman]

thanks for making this video. you're really articulate and you shed light on something that's gone overlooked for a while. you make a lot of sense and i'm looking forward to reading your persuasion pieces. :)