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Persistent depressive disorder is a form of chronic depression. Feelings of sadness and hopelessness are constantly felt by the sufferer.
As someone with PDD has constant negative feelings for so long, the condition interferes with normal life and forming relationships, being employed, and schooling.
Everyone gets low from time to time, or after a difficult event; that's normal. However, someone with PDD will consistently feel sad, no matter what.
While the symptoms present with PDD might mirror those of other disorders, its defining characteristic is the amount of time the sufferer has had them.
In the absence of hope, there is only despair. Persistent depression can look like someone feeling a complete lack of hope about their life and the world for a prolonged period of time.
Having little appetite or no appetite at all, as well as overeating, are all signs that the chemical signals in the body are out of whack, and could be a symptom of PDD.
In the normal course of life, confidence can take a knock from time to time. However, if you suffer with PDD you will have very low self-esteem.
When energy is low, we can't perform at our best. Someone with PDD will feel fatigued all the time, or will have little energy to fulfill their responsibilities.
Depression doesn't discriminate; it can happen to anyone, at any time. Around 2.5% of Americans, for instance, will experience PDD at one point in their life.
Experiencing difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep, otherwise known as insomnia, is another symptom of PDD.
Events that cause serious physical trauma to the brain, like a concussion, can also trigger mental health issues or difficulties.
Traumatic and stressful life events, such as financial hardship or the death of someone close to us, could have an ongoing effect on mental health and, by extension, brain chemistry, which manifests as PDD.
It's very difficult to make decisions if you cannot focus or concentrate. PDD can make it impossible, causing much distress to the sufferer.
PDD is a complex mood disorder. Having a family history of it puts you more at risk of suffering from it, similar to many health outcomes.
Over a fifth of people who have issues with substance abuse have a co-occurring depressive disorder. This could lead to developing PDD.
Chronic physical illnesses, including heart disease and diabetes, put people at greater risk of suffering from consistent depressive symptoms.
It's unclear exactly what causes PDD. It's believed one potential cause is changes to the brain's circuitry; in particular, lower levels of serotonin.
The length of time you've experienced symptoms is a defining feature of PDD. Adults must have had symptoms nearly every day for two years, while children or teens must have felt irritable or depressed almost every day for one year.
Three types of medications are generally prescribed to treat PDD: SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants, or SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).
In order to diagnose PDD, a healthcare provider will run a number of tests. They will need to rule out other possible causes, so urine and blood tests might be requested.
If you have a long history of diagnosis with other mental health issues including anxiety or bipolar disorder, this could put you more at risk.
Once prescribed, it might take some time to get the dosage or type of medication right. And you shouldn't stop taking your medicine without talking to a doctor first, as doing so could cause withdrawal-like symptoms.
Counseling can also help manage PDD. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful for depression. It helps to unlearn negative thoughts to develop positive thinking.
If your doctor believes it is PDD, you will probably be referred to a mental health specialist for further evaluation and treatment.
Journaling can help identify thought patterns and get to the root of the thoughts that are causing unhelpful and uncomfortable feelings.
Tuning in with yourself and cultivating presence in your daily life can help with identifying negative thought patterns and overcoming them. Yoga postures and meditation are good examples of how to do this.
You can help prevent PDD by taking mindful actions to take care of yourself. Exercise is a great way to give yourself a natural boost.
Acupuncture is another way to get in tune with the body. It promotes relaxation and an overall sense of well-being that can help someone become more aware of their dominant thoughts and feelings.
Feeling emotionally checked out and numb isn't normal. Someone with PDD might be so used to being this way that they don't recognize something is wrong.
PDD is a chronic condition, with symptoms lasting many years in some cases. However, with medication, psychotherapy, and healthy life choices, the outlook for PDD can improve.
Sources: (Healthline) (Cleveland Clinic) (The New York Times)
See also: Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition
With fewer symptoms and less severe presentation, persistent depressive disorder (PDD) differs from clinical depression. If someone has become used to their baseline feelings of sadness, they might not realize something's not quite right. Formally known as dysthymia, PDD is a persistent, chronic form of depression that lingers with the sufferer for at least two years. But how do you know if you or someone you love is suffering?
Click on to learn more about how PDD presents, and what one can do to treat it.
Understanding Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Living in a constant state of feeling 'meh'
HEALTH Depression
With fewer symptoms and less severe presentation, persistent depressive disorder (PDD) differs from clinical depression. If someone has become used to their baseline feelings of sadness, they might not realize something's not quite right. Formally known as dysthymia, PDD is a persistent, chronic form of depression that lingers with the sufferer for at least two years. But how do you know if you or someone you love is suffering?
Click on to learn more about how PDD presents, and what one can do to treat it.