Just diagnosed with dysthymic disorder....

[AngryOldDem]

I hope you can make room for one more person in your group. :hi:

I have just been diagnosed with dysthymic disorder, which really didn't come as much of a surprise to me. But the kicker is. this is underscored by grief (I am going through a rather traumatic change-of-life experience now). Most of the time I can cope with things pretty well, but what I absolutely hate are the mood swings, irritability, and overall lethargy that are making my life a living hell right now. I work in a service-sector job (at a homeless shelter) and sometimes it is so hard to function there that I wonder why I even go into work.

I had an intake appointment with a psychiatrist's therapist Tuesday; I won't be able to see the doctor until at least July, unless an opening comes up earlier. (Is that common with psychiatrists?) The therapist seems to think that medications will help. I tend to agree -- the mood swings are killer.

For those of you here who also have this, I'm wondering if you can share your experiences and offer any advice about how best to get through the down times. I'm pretty much of a loner and really don't have many people who I can just pick up the phone and call whenever I'm down. I'm pretty good at toughing it out, but tonight I'm not doing so great. I'm also curious as to what kind of medication that best treats dysthymia, so I know what to expect when I see the doctor.

I've been lurking here for some time and have really come to appreciate and respect your honesty and experiences about these issues. I'd like to join you from time to time, if I may....

[knowbody0]

1. thanks for the good work you do in the community

It's gotta be heart breaking.

My down time was intense and I did not even WANT to survive it, but I did, and now am a very different person than before. Sorry you have to wait so long for therapy. It's a lot of work, at times dread filled pain. I remember feeling broken. I was blessed with a wonderful therapist who never ever made me feel judged.

good luck to you. I found what really helped me was doing something kind for others in need.

[Random_Australian]

2. There is room for one more. There is *always* room for one more. :)

I don't say all that much often either, but I'll be an ear for you at any rate.

Greetings, AngryOldDem. I think I speak for all of us when I say - you are most welcome to join us.

I will see you around. :hug::hug:

[EFerrari]

3. Hi there, AOD! I'm glad you're here.

I don't think I really know what dysthymic disorder is although it sounds very, very familiar.

[AngryOldDem]

6. Thanks for the welcome

Basically, dysthymic disorder is a form of mild depression that is always there, kind of like a nagging cough or other chronic condition that isn't necessarily "serious" (although it could become so), yet interferes with one's basic enjoyment of life. Sometimes it gets bad; most of the time it's like feeling like you're stuck in neutral. The rest of the world sees Technicolor, you see pale shades. That's about the best I can describe it.

It's funny, but when I took a pyschology class a few years back, I noted that the symptoms of dysthymic were things I had been dealing with for years. The life crisis I'm going though right now kind of forced my hand into doing something about it, so maybe some good will come of all this mess in the end.

Looking forward to posting when I can.

[shrike]

9. I know it well. I used to refer to it as my "longtime companion"

Had it all my life; used to take tremendous efforts for me to feel good, do things. People have no idea.

I was also diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder) two years ago, which is not surprising since depression and ADD tend to be co-travelers.

My dysthymia also flared up into episodes of Major Depression. I've been dealing with them since childhood. I thought everybody did; imagine my surprise when I found out to the contrary. Hopefully, this does not happen to you.

There've been good suggestions on this thread so far. In addition to exercise I would suggest good nutrition, a balanced diet, plenty of sleep, a place where you can go to unwind. (My best days are when I've had a good sleep.) I've been on 20 mgs. of fluoxetine (generic for Prozac) since time immemorial, and it works well for me. Doesn't mean you have to be on meds; everyone's different.

I would avoid thinking that "one" thing -- exercise, pills, whatever -- is going to do it for you. It usually involves a combined strategy. Also, I would be wary of doctors who are too eager to medicate you.
One brilliant quack I saw decided that if I was doing this well on 20 mgs., then 60 or 80 mgs would send me into the stratosphere. Well, it did -- so far up I had a psychotic break. Fortunately, nothing all that bad happened; I just left a few puzzled people in my wake. Luckily, my father's girlfriend, a clinical psychologist at the time, phoned and asked me questions, said she thought I was WAY over-medicated, and to stop taking them and relax for a while. Thankfully, I was still grounded enough to do what I was told.

Beware of docs who want to make you into guinea pigs.

[AngryOldDem]

11. I've been warned about the major depression

That was the first diagnosis thrown out, which kind of surprised me; then she amended it to dysthymic disorder after she got more information on my symptoms. She did say that one makes a person more prone to the other.

A big thing working against me here is my work, and my hours. Although I enjoy what I do (although "enjoy" is kind of a strange word to use), it's taken a toll. I work second shift -- on three days and off two, off every other weekend -- so trying to establish any kind of "sane" routine has been difficult. I do want to try to resume some kind of exercise regimen, but right now even that is out of the question. I feel at times like I'm in a vicious circle.

I'm like you -- I've come to treat dysthymia as a fellow traveler that I must always keep in check -- like a demon on a chain. It has helped thinking of it as a chronic illness -- how much do I choose to let it rule me? Some days it's an easy question to answer, other days not so easy.

Before I commit to ANY medication, I am going to research it thoroughly. It sounds like this doctor will make a recommendation, and then leave it to me whether or not I go ahead with it. I don't like going this route, but with the mood swings I think I do need something to at least balance those out. I literally cannot work if I feel like I'm either going to go off on somebody or dissolve into tears.

[no name no slogan]

4. Welcome! I dated somebody with dysthymia

... and one thing she said helped her out was physical activity. It helped get her energy level up and also helped her mood, too.

Last fall, I got on a regular exercise routine: first, just going for walks before bed each evening, and eventually moving into jogging. When I'm not in the middle of a depressive episode, I run three miles a day and also do yoga and bike, too. I've noticed that my mood has gotten much more stable, and I physically feel more energetic, too. Not to mention I've lost 25 lbs since last November and feel better at 37 than I did at 27.

And it sucks re: the delay to see the psychiatrist, too. Unfortunately, with the mess that is managed care in this country, it's not uncommon to have to wait a month or more to get in to see a psychiatrist-- and then you only get 15 minutes! If your Dr. has a psych nurse, make use of her/him whenever you can. Often times s/he is invaluable and can take care of some things that don't require a doctor (like prescription refills).

Many people say that a mental illness can be debilitating. I would agree; however, more than anything, it's just a giant pain in the ass, IMHO. Keeping track of my six prescriptions is a pain in the ass. Not being able to sleep like a normal person is a pain in the ass. Being able to only take aspirin when you're in pain is (you guessed it) a pain in the ass. Not being able to have a beer because of drug interactions is a pain in the ass. But you cope with it, and get by.

Best of luck to you :hug:

[mopinko]

5. thom hartman has a book about walking

mindful walking to solve your problems. i have not read it, but my (slim) understanding is that it taps into the mental pathways that we evolved with. sort of talking to your inner caveman. i can believe it.

[AngryOldDem]

7. Do you have a title? That sounds interesting,

And, by the way, everyone...THANKS FOR THE WELCOME! Much appreciated...feel a little less alone.

[mopinko]

8. i love thom

although i admit that he is adhd, and i think he goes will go off half cocked on occasion. but mostly, he is great. and this is sure enough harmless, unless it prevents someone from getting professional/medical help when they need it.

http://www.amazon.com/Walking-Your-Blues-Away-Well-Being/dp/1594771448/ref=sr_1_15/103-7295135-2691030?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181861660&sr=1-15

[EFerrari]

10. Wow! I have to read this because I think that's what I

have been trying to do. Thanks, mo!