Life With Persistent Depressive Disorder (aka Dysthymia)

Here's my experience of receiving a diagnosis of Persistent Depressive Disorder (also referred to as Dysthymia).

I break down six of the symptoms I faced that led me to seek help, what it was like getting tested by a professional, and how I went about approaching finding a family doctor to help me start antidepressants for Persistent Depressive Disorder treatment.

If you've recently been diagnosed with Dysthymia or wondered if you have depression and what to look for, you're not alone. Let's spark a healthy conversation around mental health. :-)

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00:00 - Intro
00:47 - What Persistent Depressive Disorder feels like.
03:10 - Six Symptoms I experienced.
05:57 - What led me to seek help.
08:49 - Finding a family doctor and starting Zoloft (an antidepressant).

[MarcusRideout]

Do you have Persistent Depressive Disorder? Or maybe you stumbled upon this video because you are wondering if you have depression. In my opinion the best way to shine a light on topics related to mental health is to start a healthy conversation, so share your story and experience below.

Also, if you have dysthymia, how long have you known you've had it, and what's life been like for you on the other side of receiving a diagnosis?

[minimalistlifestyle]

The problem with dysthymia is that when you have it for so long it becomes ingrained in your character. I guess it has a lot to do with upbringing and learned coping mechanisms. The feeling that everything is vain is the worst. Also I haven’t seen much improvement with antidepressants except for irritability.

[smarre]

The main thing with PDD for me is that I generally feel less happiness and excitement over good, positive things. I get happy when I recieve gifts, but my reaction to it doesn't necessarily match how much I actually appreciate it. It's like I don't feel happiness at the same intensity as someone who doesn't have PDD. And it can be quite frustrating from time to time. Less interest and excitement for my favorite hobbies is also a big thing I struggle with. I have a really hard time to find motivation for pretty much anything. And that's really just the tip of the iceberg.

[brycek]

I definitely struggle with constant dread, hopelessness, and have to push myself to do fun things because it all seems so pointless. It's ten times easier for me to do the dishes, laundry, or chores than it is for me to do something for "fun".

[kvr]

One of the trickiest mental illnesses to detect I think. It feels so integral to your whole personality that you often just can’t imagine life being different.

[Kattykat]

I'm almost 60 yrs old. I've had depression all of my life. I've reached out as much as my insurance's would let me including years of cognitive therapy and several types of antidepressants. I'm still in the same place but feeling much worse and hopelessness because I realize that I've pretty much spent my whole life feeling liked I've been robbed of happiness. If only I could have a few years of knowing what it feels not just to be happy but to feel NOT DEPRESSED, I would be forever grateful. This condition ( I won't dare call it a disease with such stigma in this world referring to as a disease) has messed up so many relationship's in my life I find it easier to just keep to myself .So there are actually people who want help, do the work with therapists, medication and alot of prayer but somehow never get the help they need do to insurance, financial difficulties or just not being able to because they have to work and are dependent on themselves. Needless to say at my age I'm simply exhausted after years of this monster living on my shoulder ( like the Mucinex man) who won't leave me alone. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It's a life sentence in a rabbit hole.

[FroztiProductions]

The photoshop analogy is awesome. People think of depression as sadness, which is an emotion. But depression is more than just emotion, it's like the atmosphere is stale and dead no matter where you are or what you're doing.

[alexjimz]

I was just recently diagnosed with PDD, and the way my therapist said it made it look even more horrible than what it already is. She said that "thats how my personality is" and that I would feel like this or worse for the rest of my life. But I like that in your video you mention "the light", and its so reassuring to listen to someone that feels exactly how you feel. Thanks for making this video, you make others like us feel less alone.

[jhaimeejane]

I got diagnosed with dysthymia a few days ago and didn't realize I've been having this since I was a kid. Wouldn't have been diagnosed with this if I didn't have a panic attack with PD/DR. Thank you for sharing your experience. Hearing this makes me feel less alone.

[HekoniDID]

You speak exactly how I experience persistent depressive disorder! I struggle to find the words for! Thank you so much for posting about your journey.

[nussknackerin]

I started to cry, because I felt the same for so long and hearing you putting it into words made me feel like I hear myself talk. It was so realatable. I didn't know this exists till a week ago, when I was diagnosed with Dysthymia. I was very afraid that they would send me away and say everything is finde, why are you even here. I only knew Depression and couldn't realate to every symptom, so I thought, the way I feel must be normal then. Thanks for the video!

[boyfmbalcatta]

As a 65 year old male, who was diagnosed in his 40's as having chronic depression (assuming same as persistent), I had already 'devised' strategies to survive life. The most effective for me was to take up and recognize small victories. By which I mean I didn't shrug them off or make a big fuss about them, but inside I acknowledged I had done well and enjoyed that experience of success.

[joant]

I have been diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder a few days ago. You really explain exactly how I feel. Thank you for educating other people about this disorder ❤️

[jennyh]

Your video does an excellent job of describing dysthymia! I've struggled with this since my teen years, and when I was in my late 20's, I finally got medicine for it. It was a huge game changer for many years. Then, your body adjusts.. and 15 years later I had to start augmenting with other medications (probably tried about 8-10 over the course of a few years). One stuck, so that's my tratment now. It still doesn't prevent episodes however. Dysthymia is never cured. You are so correct about the litany of trite self-help "tips" that make me laugh or cry. They don't touch PDD. I'll never forget one of my first thoughts when I was on medicine for this... "my God, the world is in color".
Thanks for sharing your experience!

[drawingwithmini]

This actually made me cry with relief. I’ve been struggling to be happy and keep up a good mood for 6-7 years. I tried everything but I never felt like any of the labels like just “regular” depression. I have for months just these heavy suicidal thoughts and they just keep coming back but I never got any help for it. I just thought that I was moody or something since I was able to just keep on going. But I have had this constant feeling underlying even when I’m happy that life just is meaningless. Kinda like passive suicidal thoughts, I don’t really care if I live or die has been my motto for the past years even though I’m able to do things like school and socialize I always feel like I just struggle to do the basic things. Things like showering, it takes so much effort but I just have to keep doing it. That’s kinda like what my life has felt like for years. Like life is just too much effort for what it’s worth. But this video just made me feel very seen and I just felt like the final puzzle piece clicked. Thank you truly for this🙏🏻

[Lxnar]

I just got diagnosed with dysthymia a week ago as a 16 year old high-school student. I thought it was how everyone in the world felt, but talking to my doctor and getting diagnosed with this really was an eye-opener. Thank you for making this video. It makes me feel better knowing that I'm never alone with this.

[tadshepard]

I have felt this my entire life. Even writing this comment felt pointless, but i won’t just delete it now because holy shit.

I never went to a professional for help, because it never felt “serious” enough, as I am aware that people go through worse things, I always thought that’s just the way I am. That this awful shadow that’s been with me for as long as i can remember is just part of me forever, and now that i know it has a name and might seek out actual help. Thank you for this video.

[NeoIntelGore]

never been officially diagnosed with it, but it's pretty obvious I also have Dysthymia, as I've been feeling this way for well over 20 years. Also ADD. It's always just been diagnosed as depressive episode. None of my therapists and none of the medication worked so far - the best they do is keep me going somehow.

[christinekleinschmidt]

I had dysthymia since I was 10, but it wasn't diagnosed until I was 16. I am now 68. I have had stress management, anxiety management, CBT, and was referred to the gym. The gym calms me and so does cycling. I am now 68.

[jessejamez]

I've been getting "help" from the VA for this for over a decade now with NEGATIVE results. I have only learned of the way out on MY OWN a couple of days ago. 12 years of suffering and getting worse without ever being pointed down the correct path.