What is the difference between dysthymia and major depression?The simple answer is severity, but let me expand on this further.Technically, dysthymia is a pervasive "low level" depression that lasts a long time – often a few years. "Major Depression" is a discrete episode of severe depression.&nb...
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Hi Merely Me all, I remember saying to my shrink once, that I felt I had 2 concurring Depressions, one, since childhood, a pervasive, insideous, low grade depression and another that came later, a very severe Depression that comes regularly to visit and is far deeper, darker and crushing spiritually than the other.
why is there no one monitoring this post?
Hello Lore...
What do you mean by "monitoring"? Can you tell us more?
Yes, you can have both. Which is commonly known as "double depression".
Yes, you can have both. When you do, it's generally known as "double depression". However, even after the Major Depression has lifted, you are likely to be left with your "usual" state of Dysthymia or low-grade, chronic depression.
Rosemarie, you could very well be right. In fact, you sound very perceptive about your own moods. The longer, milder depression is usually called "Dysthymia"--it generally lasts longer, but is not as severe, as Major Depression. The other depression you describe--the one which feels much more severe, pervasive, and painful--is known as Major Depression. Like many people with Dysthymia, it sounds like you have superimposed episodes of Major Depression on top of your more chronic, milder Dysthymic depression. This is generally referred to as a "double depression."
Hi there, I did infact bring this subject up with my new psychiatrist last week when I visited. I said, I felt that all through my childhood I had been depressed, anxious, bad sleeper, shy, nervous, low self esteem [all symptoms of depression] of course my life would have caused this as well as my DNA as depression is in my genes. however, as i got older, a really deep black Depression as you rightly say, a 'Major Depressive illness' hits me on a regular basis. This is triggered by rejection or perceived rejection , Xmas time etc.,
My P-Doc agreed, he said though that I wasnt a typical dysthymic [excuse spelling] personality but he said there was a low grade depression there but that I was a happy optimistic person who suffers bouts of very low Deep clinical major depression and that i have a mild to moderate depression, nearly continually since childhood. He had read my notes and discussed my case with the team in the hospital.
I hope this makes sense. Thanks for your input. Take care