Persistent Depressive Disorder
A persistent depressive disorder is also referred to as dysthymia and is a chronic form of a depressive disorder. It is also known as double depression due to its chronic nature. A persistent depressive disorder is mainly characterized by loss of interest in the normal day to day activities hence loss of hope, sense of happiness, gloomy mood, complaining, and lack of fun.
Although Persistent depressive disorder symptoms don’t appear consistently over some time, its symptoms appear in not less than two months of its onset. Mainly the symptoms of persistent depressive disorders include: insomnia or hypersomnia, loss of interest in day to day activates, Sadness, emptiness or feeling down, hopelessness, tiredness and lack of energy, low self-esteem, self-criticism or feeling incapable, trouble concentrating and trouble making decisions, Irritability or excessive anger, decreased activity, effectiveness and productivity, poor concentration& poor decision making. Avoidance of social activities, feelings of guilt, and worries over the past, Poor appetite or overeating to mention but a few.
Mainly Persistent depressive disorder is noted while a person exhibits the above-mentioned symptoms. Referring to the DSM criteria the patient exhibits a depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated by either subjective account or observation by others and for at least two years. It is noteworthy that in children and adolescents, moods can be irritable for not less than one year. Mostly, these symptoms cause’ clinically significant distress or impairment in both social, occupational, and more important areas of normal functioning (Martin, ). Of important note is that persistent depressive disorder symptoms are not attributed to psychological effects from substance abuse or in case of any other medical conditions.
There are many unsatisfying expectations from media society in which, has portrayed differing perceptions and reports regarding the general take on mental illnesses. Although some media fraternities have played a powerful role in educating and sensitizing the general public about mental health, some have propagated and advocated for stigmatization and fear tales about the same. Media reports may play a greater role in forming attitudes towards the public interaction with persons with mental disorders and further efforts to reduce any adverse impact of media reporting should focus on these disorders and as a result curb stigmatization. As well as do thorough sensitizations and raise awareness of the different attitudes they’ve encountered and helped change these attitudes. The media should also support the effectiveness to contact people with mental health problems and help in reducing traditional beliefs about the dangerousness of the patients and subsequent stigmatization.
Psychotherapy may be the first recommended treatment for children and adolescents with persistent depressive disorder, but that depends on the individual. Sometimes antidepressants are also needed although, for effective treatment of Persistent Depressive disorder to happen, several factors must be considered. These include the Severity of symptoms, readiness to address emotional situational issues affecting your life, your ability to tolerate medications, and other emotional problems one may be having. However, antidepressants are most commonly used for the treatment of depressive disorders although you may need to try out on several medications or a combination before you find one that works. Antidepressants commonly used include Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
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