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Big Aussie Wines
Australia’s wine industry has boomed in the past ten years. Employers have had to triple their staff numbers to cope with the demand for Aussie wine. Considering the lower average national population of Australia, compared to say the United States...
DVD Movie Club - Movies Delivered Right To Your Mail Box
The Dreaded Video Store Experience It's dark, cold, raining or all three as you get in your car and fight your way through traffic to the nearest video store. When you finally arrive, you quickly discover that the movie your really want isn't...
Emotional Intelligence: The Basics
There’s so much talk about emotional intelligence and how it can promote personal and business success. What is it really? What are its basic tenets? Emotional intelligence is the capacity to recognize, understand, and manage one’s emotions and...
ESPNsoccernet.com Awards AU/NZ Ad Management Rights To Ansearch
London, Sydney, Auckland, 14 October 2005...ESPNsoccernet has awarded the rights to manage its Australia and New Zealand online media advertising and sponsorship sales to Ansearch (ASX: OPM).
Under the two-year agreement commencing this month,...
Every Family Should Have a Website
Before the Internet the best ways to stay connected with your family and friends, was by telephone, family reunions, and the Christmas newsletter, which recapped the year. This isn't necessarily how it needs to be these days.
Today in this world...
Go Cart Racing for the Long Haul
In the world of go carting, many participants have embraced the sport competitively, which has resulted in racing events occurring across the nation at tracks made especially for go cart street racing. Amateurs and seasoned go cart drivers are...
Golden globe award 2003
This article briefly summerizes fahion trends at golden globe award
I thought for sure that the fashions at this Golden Globes would be far more risky and daring. After the somber award shows of 2002out of respect for the September 11th...
Organizing a Successful Family Reunion Event
Since the advent of the personal computer and network technology genealogy research by family members has become an addictive pastime that has contributed to many happy family reunions. But what if you were asked to organize the next event? Where...
Poker Glossary
AGGRESSIVE ACTION: A wager that could enable a player to win a pot without a showdown; a bet or raise. ALL-IN: When you have put all of your playable money and chips into the pot during the course of a hand, you are said to be all-in. ANTE: A...
Vintage Costume Jewelry: Yesterday's Fashion Today
Jewelry, whether fine or costume, has been a part of human culture since the earliest times. People wear jewelry to satisfy their vanity, to indulge their love for beautiful things, and to look good to others. Vintage costume jewelry fulfills all...
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Is Dysthymic Disorder a Second-Rate Depression?
Dysthymic Disorder, used to be called Dysthymia, is a low-grade and yet chronic depression characterized by feelings of sadness or depression associated with lack of interest to do things and some physical symptoms such as lack of energy, sleep, and concentration.
Psychological symptoms such as feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness can also occur. In addition, some patients harbor thoughts of death and feelings of emptiness.
This is a type of clinical depression that is supposed to be “milder” than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD – used to be called Major Depression) because the symptoms don’t necessarily happen everyday. Unlike patients who suffer from MDD, Dysthymic patients are not bed-bound, still able to work, and does not appear to be sick. But most of these individuals complain that they haven’t felt “normal” or “happy” for a long time.
Moreover, Dysthymic Disorder is manifested by lack of drive and motivation. Hence, relatives and friends tend to misinterpret their mood and behavior. Some patients endure the stigma of being considered “lazy” or not “motivated enough” to do worthwhile goals.
As time passes by, patients with this disorder have difficulty functioning. But because they still appear normal, the illness is not recognized and patients don’t get treated early. A lot of times, they are not
referred to a psychiatrist.
So is Dysthymic Disorder a second-rate psychiatric disorder? Based on my experience, patients experience considerable emotional turmoil. In fact, some dysthymic patients eventually develop a more serious depression called Major Depressive Disorder. When “double depression” (dysthymic disorder and major depression occurring together) happens, patients are so depressed that they become a threat to themselves and become functionally impaired. At this time, psychiatric hospitalization becomes necessary.
So Dysthymic Disorder is a serious health problem that should be recognized and treated promptly. It is an illness that somehow hides its existence from everyone including clinicians and patients themselves.
What is the treatment? Dysthymic disorder can be treated by antidepressants and psychotherapy. Most patients respond to treatment although some still suffer despite adequate treatment. Also, there are some individuals who only respond minimally. As such, this illness can be more challenging to treat than others.
About the Author
Dr. Michael G. Rayel – author (First Aid to Mental Illness–Finalist, Reader’s Preference Choice Award 2002) psychiatrist, and inventor of Oikos Game: A Personal Development and Emotional Skills Game. For more information, please visit www.oikosgame.com.
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