Neurotic depression, which is known in modern times as dysthymia (a word with Greek roots that mean “ill-humour”), is a mood or affective disorder. Specifically, it is a chronic, mild depression that can last for a long period of time. Generally, such a disorder has less of the physical and mental symptoms that individuals, who are suffering from major depressive disorders, experience.
Most of the time, this condition begins in early adulthood and would last for years or even decades. Later onsets are usually associated with obvious stress or bereavement and often follow a more extreme depressive episode. Like what is seen with major depression, women are twice as likely as men to suffer from dysthymia.
To know if you are suffering from this condition, it is important to know its primary symptoms. Here are the signs that indicate you have neurotic depression:
- low self-esteem
- depressed mood for prolonged periods
- sleep irregularities
- low energy and tiredness
- poor concentration
- changes in appetite
- feeling of hopelessness
The severity of these symptoms would vary and depend on the person in question. While some individuals are still able to deal with the basic demands of life, others would experience significant episodes of distress, which make it difficult for them to cope with their work, educational or social situations.
As for the exact cause of neurotic depression, it is still unknown, but it is believed that causes would be quite the same with those of major depression. Dysthymia could be brought about by:
Inherited Traits
Persistent neurotic depression is observed to be more common depressive disorder appears to be more prevalent in individuals who have blood relatives also having the condition. As of yet, researchers are still trying to find genes that could be involved in triggering depression.
Biological Differences
Sufferers are also speculated to have physical changes in their brains, but the significance of these changes is still unclear. Nevertheless, they are believed to eventually help with pinpointing causes.
Life Events
As with major depression, neurotic depression can be triggered by traumatic events in life, such as financial problems, loss of a loved one or high levels of stress.
The symptoms mentioned above can also further into complications, which are often linked to persistent depressive disorders, such as substance abuse, reduced quality of life, family conflicts, relationship difficulties, work and school problems, decreased productivity, personality and other mental health disorders, chronic pain, suicidal behavior and other general medical illnesses.
When to See Your Doctor
Because the feelings that come with neurotic depression would go on for a long time, you might think they are normally part of your life, but they are actually not. If you have any symptoms of this condition, seek medical help as soon as possible! You can speak with your primary care doctor about the signs or directly seek help from a mental health professional. If you are hesitant about this, you can reach out to somebody who you think and trust to be able to help you with treatment.