Sunday, April 08, 2007 x 11:39 PM
How wonderful if there is no mood disorder. I research a litle and i found this.
Dysthymia (pronunciation in IPA: [dɪsˈθaɪmɪə or dɪsˈθɪmeə (chiefly British)]) or dysthymic disorder is a form of the mood disorder of depression characterized by a
lack of enjoyment/pleasure in life that continues for at least two years. It differs from clinical depression in the severity of the symptoms. Dysthymia can, though it does not always,
prevent a person from functioning or affect sleep patterns and daily activities.Dysthymia
Dysthymia may seem a paradoxical disorder in that sufferers exhibit fairly mild symptoms on a day-to-day basis; however, over a lifetime it can have severe effects, such as high rates of suicide,
work impairment, and social isolation. The symptoms of patients with dysthymic disorder are not as severe as those associated with major depression, but the duration of these symptoms is much longer. When a major depressive episode occurs on top of dysthymia, clinicians may refer to the resultant condition as double depression.
Diagnostic The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, characterizes Dysthymic disorder as a chronic depression, but with less severity than a major depression. The essential symptom involves the individual feeling depressed almost daily for at least two years, but without the criteria necessary for a major depression. Low energy, disturbances in sleep or in appetite, and low self-esteem typically contribute to the clinical picture as well. Sufferers have often experienced dysthymia for many years before it is diagnosed. People around them come to believe that the sufferer is 'just a moody person.' Note the following diagnostic criteria:
1. On the majority of days for 2 years or more, the patient reports depressed mood or appears depressed to others for most of the day.
2. When depressed, the patient has 2 or more of:
-
Appetite decreased or increased -
Sleep decreased or increased -
Fatigue or low energy -
Poor self-image -
Reduced concentration or indecisiveness-
Feels hopeless 3. During this 2 year period, the above symptoms are never absent longer than 2 consecutive months.
4. During the first 2 years of this syndrome, the patient has not had a Major Depressive Episode.
5. The patient has had no Manic, Hypomanic or Mixed Episodes.
6. The patient has never fulfilled criteria for Cyclothymic Disorder.
7. The disorder does not exist solely in the context of a chronic psychosis (such as Schizophrenia or Delusional Disorder).
8.
The symptoms are not directly caused by a general medical condition or the use of substances, including prescription medications.9.
The symptoms cause clinically important distress or impair work, social or personal functioning. OMG!! Those in bold are what i have now. SOMEONE PLS SAVE ME!