Is Dysthymia a High Functioning Depression?

Is Dysthymia a High Functioning Depression? That's what I am talking about in this video. High functioning depression is a term people will use to describe the degree of depression someone has. That is usually determined by how they function in their day to day life. Perhaps they’re still able to go to work, go to school take care of the family etc. This is in contrast to a low functioning depressed person who may not be able to get out of bed, may not be bathing maybe failing classes because they just can't pull it together enough to do these things. So high functioning is more of a descriptive term and not really an official diagnosis.
Dysthymic disorder has been renamed persistent depressive disorder. I discuss the criteria for persistent depressive disorder in this video. Someone with dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) can also have episodes of major depression on top of their dysthymia.
One big difference between dysthymia and depression is with major depression, you need five of nine symptoms. With dysthymia, you only need two of six symptoms. So, with major depression you need more symptoms. I discuss the full criteria for major depression and how to know if you are depressed in a previous video you can watch here: • How To Tell If You're ...
#mentalhealth #depression
Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/questions, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.
I upload every Wednesday at 9am, and sometimes have extra videos in between. Subscribe to my channel so you don't miss a video goo.gl/DFfT33

[@810baybee]

I personally have been to Dr. Marks in Georgia!! She is absolutely the BEST!! I wish she was still my psychiatrist ⭐️😰

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Oh wow slim money! Thank you!!! I so hope you are doing well!!😊

[@shizzle1903]

Lucky for you. She seems great

[@alikazmi1882]

Dr how can I talk to you

[@Yolduranduran]

You were so fortunate!!

[@Yolduranduran]

@@alikazmi1882 look in her description. It gives you the number and cost.

[@ToushiDiablo]

I never thought about it like this. I'm never really feeling overly happy and I'm aware that I'm always on the edge of a depression episode. This seems more accurate to what I feel. I'm functioning but not living fully.

[@Lredfloss1]

I can relate, joy for me seems fleeting (laugh at a joke or have a pleasant interaction with someone for example) but it doesn't take long before something/someone destroys my mood, it can even just be a memory of a time I failed that randomly pops into my head

[@desertrosewazir]

1.Extreme fatigue. 2.poor concentration 3.I doe not want to travel as I feel extremely anxious. 4.poor decision making. Thise are the hallmark of my dysthymia.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

All of those can have a pretty big impact on your day to day functioning. I did a video on how depression impacts your cognitive functioning in case you haven't seen it kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYaznYCdgd-hirs

[@iamauro1114]

Hmm..

[@timmurphy4688]

That sounds exactly like me

[@suewoo5]

Not glad you are going thru this but im happy to hear someone describe what I've been going thru

[@jessicad4364]

1,2,&4 are also symptoms of ADID

[@viviane1912]

I was diagnosed with dysthymia a year ago and I am just at the beginning of my journey. I feel like wasting my time everyday, not spending enough time with my parents and in general I am very hopeless. The pandemic and a break up i was facing earlier this year, are definitely not helping either. But what I have learnt by now is, that every single downphase, no matter how hard and impossible it feels, will pass. They did in the past and i am trying to believe that they always will. Sending lots of love to everyone who is struggling too. I hope everyone has an opportunity to go on a joirney with professional help. Greetings from Germany

[@jocelynjones-smith-sn3iy]

❤❤❤

[@1977misfit]

I also go through what you call down phases. I tell people that, instead of experiencing peaks and valleys, it's more like valleys and sea level. I don't really have upswings in my mood. Mostly just down, and then eventually back to flat. I'm also incredibly irritable. I "wake up on the wrong side of the bed, about 5, or 6 days out of the week. Just trust that, eventually your brain chemistry will even back out. It always does. Just wrote this to let you know, that there's someone out there who understands... Be well...

[@Ramayj20]

I think I might be a high functioning depressed person. I'm able to get to work daily but I struggle still with my personal hygiene which is embarrassing. I struggle to shower and brush my teeth during the work week. I feel tired most of the time and I know I'm a very pessimistic person which I just say is my personality.

[@amandaoneill6040]

I'm the same I shower etc Mon-Fri cause of work when not working I crawl into bed

[@rosahollander9497]

Same honey. Lately weekends are hell.

[@gaylegreene]

I can relate

[@retard_activated]

You are not the only one. I'm there with you. 😒

[@FutureAuth0r]

I believe I have it but I tend to cope (food, games, other things…) so I wouldn’t notice it until I don’t have those coping mechanisms

[@kari818]

I've checked off every symptom. Behind the smile, a very thin layer, is me sad, depressed, invisible, tired, low to no energy and many times just feeling like I just don't want to exist anymore. Not die, just not exist. Just tired of this grayness, hoping just to sing or hum a song to the radio in my car, or something! I want to be happy, I want to feel I'm loved or at least, important. I'll be 57 soon, and I can't remember feeling completely happy. I want this feeling gone. I'm also trying to help my husband, who has bipolar and OCD. I'm just empty.

[@EdwardVanny]

Have you ever tried taking a dose of Psycobilin Mushrooms? It's reminded me of what life is truly about. You feel like a kid again.

[@kimberlyknight2295]

I feel the exact same....and hopeless. I forgot what happiness and true joy felt like. Praying for you! God is the best Healer!!

[@just1desi]

@Dustin Void its so awful how you struggle so hard to seem normal and mask to function and all folks do is act like you should be doing more and its not enough because you arent totally falling apart while swimming through the fog

[@reenougle]

Never heard of dysthymia but it certainly sounds exactly how I have felt most of my life. Thank you Dr.

[@scotnick59]

Been that way since age 14

[@andersonwonder9357]

Go get professional help before you put this in your Tik tok bio

[@CosedellaLana]

Schade das man weiße Schrift nicht lesen kann 😢

[@janicechung8172]

The last time I could recall when I felt good and happy goes back to 2007. It feels like my soul has been dead since then. Is there anyone who feels this way?

[@henriettevandam166]

Yes. I do. Since 2014 I got the feeling that my soul has died. I try to find my good feelings back but it seems that they are in a cloud and I can't reach them. It's very sad. Try to be as often as I can outdoors in nature. Try to reload my battery. Sometimes I feel better most of the time a little improvement. Wish you all the best of the world.

[@janicechung8172]

@@henriettevandam166 thanks for your good words

[@VeryPrivateGallery]

Same year.

[@janicechung8172]

@@VeryPrivateGallery I'll pray for you

[@rebeccaoprea9917]

Janice Chung yes . You are not alone .

[@lyrapsi]

I've found the best way to control my depression to to ritualistically remind myself that it isn't real, it's not me, thereby separating it from myself and allowing myself my objectivity to get through it. It doesn't happen every time, but it makes it manageable.

[@briannareeves2095]

Totally there with you!

[@joshrodriguez9997]

Same

[@redrock1963]

Many years ago I "self diagnosed" as having a "mild" constant depression all my life. I'd put it down to being Melancholy - I'd never heard of depression being "mild". I believed my symptoms were not clinical depression because I could function reasonably normally and I could still see the funny side of things - but I also knew that on paper, I should be "happier" than I felt....... I always felt emotionally flat or mild anger born from frustration of life.... never self harm/suicide though - I seem to have an abundance of Stoicism. While I understand that it's dangerous to latch onto something that simply validates a reason to be negative - I almost teared up when Dr. Tracey went through the symptoms and described this condition. I will explore this some more. Thx Dr. Tracey.

[@just1desi]

I relate to everything you said. Since being a teen ive felt the flatness. The inability to maintain consistent contentment or exuberant happiness or even to feel much gladness at achievements. And an overarching cynicism and whats the point and what will be will be yet never feeling any urge to off myself or help anything along. Like life is a spectator sport and im bored of this channel or irritated to be stuck here but ive already sunk cost fallacied the thing so might as well finish

[@redrock1963]

@@just1desi - I want to say something encouraging but I ultimately know that what is needed only comes from within and so that is where the encouragement must come from. The sunsets are still there to be seen.

[@chinutej5380]

I am facing same issue

[@jemgem9593]

This is SO me for the past 30+ years. No happiness. But I function but with huge difficulty

[@simulki7108]

Been feeling low on life for as long I can remember. I have eaten all kind of nature suppliments, tried weight lift and do walks, eat food high in vitamins and go to bed early but even so I always feel fatigued, so much so that I do no longer care to excersise or follow any good sleep patterns. The worst part about my dysthymia is I have no intrests or goals in life, literaly none, I only do things I have to do, not because I want to, nothing brings me joy in life. I am only 26 years old and I fear the future, wondering how I will be able to live through life as I am totaly dead inside. The result of this being made me do opiodes last year as it is the only time in my life I can feel good inside, sad but true.

[@HamzaKhan002]

Its been a month since i started escitalopram. I am not experiencing any positive effects rather my anxiety and depression has got severed. I feel like my brain is blocke and shutted down. I can't study and daily routine chores have become extremelly difficult. I have a hard time off my bed and sleeping more than enough. I can't even bath regularly. When will it start kicking, plz tell me i need help coz i feel terribly depressed and anxious more than before when i haven't started it.

[@zusanakalitouw1182]

Try find nutrition for mental health on KZbin. Vitamin B9, B12, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acid, vitamin D. I heard those can help.

[@randommess6667]

Same here, Taking painkillers made me so happy for a year lol it was the happiest id ever felt in the few months I took drugs lol An i have a young son so thats not even good but ya even drugs dont wok after awhile,,,, I only took the opioids after having major surgery,,, But It was amazing for awhile even tho I didnt take them in the daytime I was so happy still in the day knowing i had something to look forward too,,,, Now nothing

[@nowwhat7714]

I’m so sorry. I relate to this so much, I am simply living day to day..going to work and doing things simply because that’s what I’m supposed to do.. and at times makes me feel like a failure because I dnt truly have any goals.. it’s hard to look to the future and make plans for it when you barely wanna be in it..Marijuana has helped not feel so dead inside..I feel something else..not dead though.. also I got into astrology because I wanted to know more about myself and possibly see where my wires are “wrong”… stay up girl, dead flowers can still be beautiful 🧡

[@simulki7108]

@@nowwhat7714 You have snapchat, Atoya? I would love to discuss these type of topics with someone understanding

[@karen9331]

I was diagnosed with Dysthymia approximately 14 years ago when I was going through a 2nd failed marriage. I took a low dosage medication for 2 years or less and decided that I would change my lifestyle by eating healthier foods and exercising each week. I also started diving within my inner being by reading self help books, taking parenting classes, and going to group therapy skills classes. Both my parents had narcissistic traits and were labeled by my therapist as para-alcoholics. So knowing about my toxic environment during childhood and how it affected me emotionally and mentally, helped me to see that my flatness/expressing little emotions was most likely an ongoing behavior that protected me from a really dysfunctional household. And, because I carried that learned dysfunction into my relationships, life for me was anything but happy. Awareness and knowledge brought me out of the hole within myself. I dived into the pain and when I surfaced, rainbows were all around me. Today, I lived a fulfilling life and it’s filled with contentment. No more flatness. When I feel a certain way that may resemble old patterns, I examine my behaviors and remove or distance myself from anything toxic Thanks for the video.

[@justablink8086]

thank you for sharing this, it gives me hope, maybe it'll get better one day

[@abcdefg54321x]

My life consists of me simply waiting to die

[@DrTraceyMarks]

No boy. I hope you can Get some professional help for this. NAMI has some good resources www.nami.org/Find-Support

[@mikenicoll220]

Hi , sometimes I feel the same ,taken medication but after a while it gets me down .try to look for small things that bring you joy .when your at the bottom of the ladder the only way is up , even if slowly . Good luck 🍀 to you

[@heavyjersey]

Same

[@magicmariobichon751]

Me too, even with medication.

[@LordVictorHalgaard]

@@DrTraceyMarks Yes woman. That is objectively what life is. Whether you manage to find a way to enjoy the wait / distract yourself is a different matter. If you can't there is just the wait, as without action, death is the only certainty of life. I appreciate people wanting to help, but if there is one thing I will not tolerate its lying/irrationality - neither in a literal or figurative manner. Face the facts and work from there - establishing a delusion is only setting up a ticking bomb, waiting for reality to crash right back in.

[@noway464]

One thing that was implicitly mentioned and not listed in the symptoms is that you lose interest and enjoyment in everything.

[@claytonmcdaniel8456]

That's where I am. I do all kinds of yarn, string, and rope work (knitting, weaving, braiding, etc.) but I'm in such a slump I feel like I'll never be interested again.

[@bobgill4069]

My mental illnesses, all undiagnosed, including ADHD caused me to drop out of medical school. And of course neither the unempathetic students or teachers or administration helped in any way until it was too late.

[@Blackheathenly]

Perhaps if you'd got a diagnosis, they would have taken you seriously.

[@TimeForAli]

@@Blackheathenly I personally don’t think they have to see a diagnosis to help. If someone needs help, they need help. That’s how I look at it at least

[@user-jp1zr1qw7j]

Same with me . I dropped out of design school when I was just on my first yr I just walked out mid class because I just couldn't wait any longer. I wasted 4 yrs just dealing with my mental health. This yr I got myself to college again and feel like I'm in the same situation again. I feel like a pathetic loser who's a liability

[@misstinytrader88]

It's good to finally understand what has been my entire adult life since puberty. I turned 50 November. I have learned to keep it at bay and hide it. I thank God for getting me through.

[@juliewoodgate1099]

I know exactly how you feel

[@truthinlovemama]

Same here. I’ve felt this way since puberty too, and I’m now 33. All glory to God! I’m thankful He gives me faith that’s not dependent on my feelings.

[@morbidmanmusic]

God didn't get you thru. You did. If anything, god made you sick. Can't have it both ways.. .

[@gettingalongeveryone.873]

👍🙏🏻✝️✌️

[@nourenaissance]

I was diagnosed with dysthymia when I was 35 after being diagnosed as just depression at 24. Dr. Marks broke this down so beautifully that I actually feel better.. somewhat

[@MellyMae44]

This is an eye-opening video for me. I was diagnosed with dysthymia approximately 20 years ago. I was briefly on an antidepressant, but I felt no benefits, so I stopped, and I haven't dealt with it properly since. I have many of the symptoms she describes, especially the chronic gray cloud. I have chronic fatigue, have difficulty concentrating, etc. My chronic sadness and feelings of hopelessness is compounded by the fact I am married to someone who I believe, after much research, fits the criteria of having narcissistic personality disorder. Every day is a struggle for me to achieve even basic communication and cooperation with someone who has an agenda to make my life miserable. Even w/o this person in my life, I still look back on my life and see I've always felt this high-functioning depression, even though I'm basically a positive-outlook type person, but something in my psyche is always dragging me into a dark hole. People who don't know me well think I'm a super positive, happy person, but it's really just me overcompensating, trying not to get sucked down into that dark hole and possibly never being able to escape from it.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Hi Mellie May. Thank you for sharing your story. There's been a lot of advances in medications in the past 20 years. Maybe trying a different one will help this time. A newer medication, Trintellix has shown to been particularly helpful for the thinking problems that can come with depression.

[@ExNihilo634]

I know this comment is 4 years old but just to say I hope you’re feeling better now and found some support ❤

[@Algo1]

I was diagnosed with dysthymia and what struck me the most is that indeed I cannot pinpoint any time in my life that I have ever felt truly happy or content. Thanks for the video. I've also had episodes of double depression and probably was going through one when I got initially diagnosed as I was having suicidal thoughts, although they were in the past? more like "yes I've had them but not now" at that moment.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Thanks for sharing Algo1. You know exactly what I meant in the video then about the perpetual low hanging cloud. Many people will just believe that this is how life is and everyone is like this - until they get close to someone who's not.

[@7Mushrooms7]

I want to go to a doctor but my symptoms seems to correspond to dysthymia. Actually I present all the symptoms Dr Marks mentioned but I've at some points had suicidal thoughts, but actually never a true will/courage to do it. Very interesting video.

[@Contessa998]

7Mushrooms7 How do you get Through the day living like that? I am just asking because I completely understand what you’re saying. Did you ever go to therapy

[@7Mushrooms7]

@@Contessa998 Hei! I push through it. That's why I think I have dysthymia, because I can still function and go to work, but I feel constantly depressed. I think it's because work is necessary for my survival and people depend on me a lot at work, so I push through it and are functional because I have a big fear of disappointing people and letting them down, so I think no one at work would realize that I live like this. But outside of that it's very difficult to get motivated to do stuff, to take care of myself, to get pleasure from things and to even want to socialize (though I also try to push through and do it). The way I dealt with my suicidal thoughts was to focus on the fact that my family would be devastated if I did it. I've had a period with strong suicidal thoughts and thinking about the pain I'd cause to my family, specially my mother, was one of the few things that kept me from doing it. And also trying to rationalize that suicide is not the solution and that I should instead face my problems. On a rational level I know that life is worth it even if I don't always feel it. I haven't tried therapy yet. I live alone in a foreign country in a place where it's very difficult to find a therapist. I can speak the language fluently but I'd prefer therapy in my mother tongue so I can express myself better. I think the only solution at the time is online therapy with a therapist from my country.

[@charlizeriv2001]

I feel like I was happy as a child, but I can barely remember it. I am not sure if I have anything wrong with me, but I do feel like I can’t remember what i feel very well so I don’t even know if I feel sad or happy most days, everyday feels so forgettable, I can feel happiness about something, but my brain always find a way to turn it negative and it never lasts long, idk ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@zacsofarjustfriends]

Oh my god. The commenter’s background is identical to mine. I feel the double depression for real. We are not alone!!! Keep fighting the good fight!

[@DrTraceyMarks]

That's right Zach. Thanks for commenting.

[@delgryphon6633]

I never knew about "double depression" even being a thing. It explains a lot, I have been diagnosed with depression since my early 20s, and more recent years PDD was the updated diagnosis. There are other diagnoses and symptoms of conditions not yet evaluated, but learning more deeply about what has been is validating. It can be an immense struggle.

[@lovecoloredward]

thank you for making these videos, they make me feel less alone hearing someone talk about my symptoms.

[@jtran2931]

Its great to put a name to what I have been experiencing since I was a teenager. Thank you for the explanation.

[@kissmanie]

I've been watching a lot of your clips lately. I've been battling with dysthymia, major depression,major anxiety and borderline personality disorder. I'm 40 and I'm so tired of my life.

[@dsmith9103]

I was diagnosed as having Dysthymia and have been on low grade anti depressants for the last 3 years, its amazing how little information is out there about this, thank you for discussing this and providing information on it

[@yogendras04sm]

Did you feel any significant improvement after taking medication

[@dsmith9103]

@@yogendras04sm totally, less snappy with the kids, can enjoy sports and life better, don't get me wrong, still have my bad days, but not as many as I did before medication

[@bethanyfury1209]

Thank you for your videos and your channel in general. I got diagnosed with dysthymia about a year ago. This video is spot on.

[@ultravulva]

WHOA !!! This hits really close to home for me. Right down to the narcissistic parental units. Emotional display was not promoted. One of my units had the forethought to connect me to talk therapy at an early age though , so i learned purposeful joy .

[@no_where_land9947]

Oh god this explains so much in my life. Iv been looking at depression symptoms and they added up but just barely. But all of this lines up with what Iv been feeling for years

[@brightandsunny]

A revelation to me! So well explained. I am treated for mild depression but never knew its specific name. It brings much more clarity. Many thanks.

[@keyplayer123]

Thank you for this description, very satisfying to hear it spelled out.

[@lexic.7942]

I seriously think that you are my favorite person on the internet. I wish I had access to a great Dr. like you. I finally just subscribed.

[@terimurphy4009]

You described me to a tee. I work, smile and encourage my clients. I'm 45,lasy time I was joyful was when I was 37. I do what I need to, but constantly feel like life is meaningless. Here I just thought I was a negative person. Thank you for your video, it's so helpful as always xx

[@PurpleMonkey123]

I've been diagnosed with dysthymia in my late twenties even though I've had it for as long as I can remember. Yes, separated parents and more stuff going on. Only when I started feeling better I reached out to my doctor because I wanted to know what it was I'd been suffering from and how not to fall back. Because I was feeling better I didn't get any treatment after diagnosis. I didn't really accept the diagnosis because I felt it was determined too easily. Now, years later, I realise the diagnosis was correct and I still have times that I struggle with it. But those have definitely gone down since I started working on myself. Really for the first time in my life now most days are good with no depressive symptoms even though I've had a really tough year otherwise. Movement and eating healthy help a lot. They're hard to do when you're in a bad place but when you're feeling good they will help keep it that way.

[@user-he2fq4lt5p]

I've had all the symptoms of Dysthymia for quite some time now. Maybe going into 3-5 years now. Haven't sought any counseling, nor have I put any emphasis on seeking any out. There's all the feelings indicated, but I just write them off as "just the way life is." At times, I'm feeling alright, watching TV, then snippets of what seems to be an alternate universe I exist in flushes all over me. I experience feelings of sadness, desperation, loneliness, yet, I know "that" universe or happening has never existed, nor has ever taken place in my life. I just continue to live with it.

[@ronrice1725]

Thanks for all of your straight forward and honest help. Can’t tell you how much you help. Bless you

[@sapphirebarnett8616]

I think this is the closest diagnosis to how I have been all my life. Interesting

[@smoke5573]

Felt the way you described ever since I can remember, but never actually did anything about it. I am 21 at the moment and I've got about 2 more years until I finish University.I've always just been thinking to myself "eh, it'll pass". Always in that empty place, I call it limbo. Feels a lot like floating in nothingness. I've had relationships that lasted for years but I never felt "happy". I felt not as empty, but never truly happy. I just used to lie to myself that it's fine, that maybe it's just in my head, that it's not so bad. Maybe it's time I go see someone before this mood will impact the way I will have to work and such, as I want to pursue becoming a prosecutor. Thank you for the informational video!

[@DrTraceyMarks]

You’re welcome smoke. Yes it’s a good idea to see someone so that you can be in a better place when you’re under the stress of professional school and your work life.

[@Kyrillzak]

Thank you. My situation is very similar to that of the girl who asked question. I always helps to know that you are not the only one who's having that ongoing battle with Dysthymia.

[@collettemarie4976]

Thank you for this information. You are so clear and easy to understand. I'm pretty sure I have had persistent depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder since I was a kid. These video's help me to understand it,, and that it wasn't "just in my head" as people would tell me.

[@MurryMoonSpit]

I relate to dysthymia in every way it’s been described, in every video I’ve watched. I have never been able to believe I could afford health insurance, that alone a mental health coach/therapist. I never related to severe depression, my family line delves into severity, but I’ve never quite felt the crumbling severe my parents have. I find that fortunate, though. I still somehow want to and try to be here and show up every day for the people I promised I would. Even though every thing in me is begging me not to. And to just please make it all stop so you can disappear into a void. I’ve always had to force myself to get up, since I can remember. Waking up has never been something to be excited about. It’s just another day my trapped brain creates. Because I have no one else to rely on to get through it. All I have is me, and me never seems enough to make me or anyone else happy enough to feel content with our days. I’ve been a hermit since I was a baby/child. Always content playing alone, preferred to actually. Somehow I’ve been an influential hermit to so many people throughout my life though. People are really drawn to me any little time I expose my unshelled flesh. And I don’t mean nakedness. I just mean exposing my feelings and state of being. I always regret exposing my existence though. It draws way too much attention. Maybe at first it’s attention I thought I wanted. But immediately I become adverse to as soon as I receive it. I just want everything and everyone to go away. Leave me alone. It’s too much. I’m not as mysterious and interesting as you thought. I am a flawed human being. I constantly crave to feel the peace of loneliness and pure emptiness, because existing and being needed to respond to others is never an energy I’ve ever had the capacity to access and utilize for more than a tiny brief moment. Somehow I connect to people so easily in moments, but the moments never weather the constant fluctuations of my mental health. I retreat as soon as I see my ugly tendencies trying to get through. So others will never have to see me that way. And I guess that defines my loneliness in a way. Never letting another see the major parts of you, so you never feel understood or seen purely. I have trouble harboring relationships and feeling any sense of a comfortable dock. Suicide has crossed my mind often, but never in an active way. I’ve felt such extreme sadness, and unworthy, but never felt so unrelated to that my depression is that severe to the point of not being able to take care of my basic responsibilities to survive. (My basic needs to feel mentally stable are still ignored for the most part though). It’s been at the point for over 6 years where I only take care of my basic responsibilities to feel good about my life. But have no energy or will to take care of my actual self. Things I wish I would be able to have energy to do are always looming over my head. They build up into an intense monster, to the point where I either need to completely shut down and ignore, by recover sleeping an entire day off, or to a point where I know I work the next day for 10 hours, but can’t get to sleep, because I think about how much I’ve lost myself over the years and that no one actually sees who I am anymore and truly appreciates me for the depth and connection I withhold inside. I always functioned in life and in a way I’ve somehow/somewhat excelled, because of how much anxiety and self-awareness I hold at all times because it forces me to try so I uphold others images of me. I actually look for safe windows to feel my full depression. The majority of my sick time I’ve used to sleep and disassociate from my life problems. I’ve never used them to actually heal myself. I’m 30 years old and have never once asked for vacation time off. I’ve traded in my vacation time for money, to take care of my basic needs as well as others needs. I try so hard and never take vacations or take time off. Any time I randomly happen to have 2-3 days off by holiday chance, I use those days to be my full unfunctional self. I’ll sleep until my entire body and joints hurt from lack of movement. This is why I feel like I feel like I have high functioning depression. I continue on through it somehow. But all I feel is my suffering and how I am to be used by others. I know why I can’t just be. I just can’t. That option is not available to me. I don’t look for or hold that privilege while in my mindset, and it wouldn’t make me happy even if everything was given and handed to me. I would always feel the intense stress, panic, and unworthiness of not giving enough to deserve a pure feeling of being taken care of. So I just suffer, and I try to take care of myself, I keep going, even though I can see the declining spiral that is my life. Here’s to hoping for one good moment to attach to. That’s all I can ever manage these days.

[@1977misfit]

The fact that you didn't end up with depression at the same severity as your parents, is not that unusual. In my research, i read that people that are the offspring of parents that suffered from depression, are likely to end up suffering dysthymia.

[@julietcappetta3196]

I relate to everything you say except that, Thank God, I live in Germany where I can take 6 weeks' paid holiday a year and I have health insurance that covers therapy. However, the thing that has helped me the most is reading and learning about mindfulness and self-compassion... I started with Kristin Neff's book "Self-Compassion" and went on from there (Pema Chodron, Sharon Salzberg, Thich Nhat Hanh, Tara Brach, etc). I also meditate with the Headspace app which is very much based on Jon Kabat Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme... I go through life now knowing and accepting that my "default" mood is clouded with melancholia and sadness but there are better days, if not better moments, and I can steer my thoughts in a way that means they don't define me. I will always be the way I am... but instead of getting angry and in despair of myself, I'm trying to be more accepting and kinder to myself... and I catch myself sometimes at a moment where I could quite happily wallow in self-pity and negativity and go down that road but instead I'm learning to wryly smile and raise an eyebrow at my own habitual default mode and speak zo myself patiently as if I were talking to my best friend or a child who needsa little TLC and to be set back on the right track. It's not easy and I often slip back into my old ways, but it is getting better. And I've given up alcohol (wine was like self-medication but actually made the depression worse). 10 months now - no alcohol - and I feel so relieved and glad that I made that decision! Good luck to you. I hope this helps.

[@Ather0nline]

​@@1977misfitanother reason to NOT have childs with depression

[@1977misfit]

@@Ather0nlinethat's cute!!! As if, anyone ever thinks of things of such nature... F**k No!!! Of course, they don't... they're just so damn elated about the life that intend to, or have already created... you know like, "I was depressed a lot, when i was younger. I wonder if that s**t might have any detrimental effects on my kid(s)??? Nope!!! It's not til after s**t goes haywire, and the kid begins showing signs that maybe something is amiss, that it dawns on them... that's assuming, of course, that they get help early, or at all. Or, like me, psychiatric physicians, who are all too happy, to listen exclusively to the complaints of the one's paying for the treatment, (the parent(s), instead of the kid (the one actually experiencing the disorder... shrinks who operate like that, don't belong making potentially life altering decisions, with potentially life long consequences. I had one of those. Can ya' tell??? LUCKILY, in my case, I realized that the meds was put on weren't right, and took myself off them before any real damage was done, and haven't gone on any since....

[@Ather0nline]

@@1977misfit i understand you. It's BASIC HUMAN BIOLOGY that the most of thing that you suffer, mentally and psychly are gonna suffer your child as well, having a child it's and inmoral and give your kid an predispotition to illness it's even WORSE.

[@yeahokaycoolcool]

Another example for any of those wondering what it may be like with both types... I was diagnosed with both dysthymia (about a year or two ago) and major depression (about 11 years ago). The times when I don't have my major episodes, I don't feel anything, I'm rarely happy, I'm frequently considered negative, and it's difficult to motivate myself to be on time/get up/etc. When I do have my major episodes, I have a hard time eating, I often falling under a healthy weight, I have immense trouble with hygiene, and it's nearly impossible for me to do much. I describe it as my entire body being weighted down and me being out of breath. It's so hard. I also was marked the highest possible score for suicidal ideation on the test they gave me (which came to literally no surprise to me at all). Personally, have tried all traditional types of medications and none have worked for me in the way they were intended. Medications do work for most people, though. I just try to push through everything on a day to day basis, with the majority of the 11 years being untreated by anything but psychotherapy.

[@HairbyTammie]

You’re doing amazing work. Through therapy, my Theripist has mentioned dysthymia a few times and that she suspects I am dealing with this. Watching this is helping me realize she’s right. Can’t wait to speak with her about this realization and find some solutions. Thank you.

[@stoney10]

I just got diagnosed today with this. Every single thing you said applies to me. It’s like you opened my mind and looked around. Thank you.

[@annepatton8727]

I was diagnosed with HFD some years ago, after having a major depression disorder breakdown when I was 25. I'm 40 now and with meds and therapy I handle it. It never goes away, but we can make it better for us.

[@PattymacMakes]

Super informative!! Maintaining one's mental health is as much a journey as physical health.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Thanks Patty! You're so right about that.

[@mohammedshaddy9895]

I believe I've had persistent depressive disorder for at least 2 - 3 years now and its exactly as you said, I can't really remember a time not feeling this way, even in childhood it's tough to remember the emotion of being happy, even though I may recall an incident where I would have been happy. It's only though when I find videos like these or have a conversation about it with my close person that I remember that I actually may have this disorder, because usually I put my lack of productivity/ inability to connect down to me being lazy/uncaring, especially since I don't have suicidal thoughts or experience the deep pain that my friend with major depression has. But your videos have given me some hope that if it's just an illness it can be treated and I'll one day be able to experience more out of life and push myself more, so thank you for that Miss.

[@bmeeseeks2881]

This channel is amazing. I have no access to mental health services and Dr. Marks is a God send.

[@1977misfit]

I am 46, and have been dealing with this very same disorder for as long I can remember, including the double depressant episodes. I experienced psycho-motor retardation, extreme loss of appetite, and the most pronounced lows, of my life during one of these episodes. Let me state, however, that I diagnosed myself. I was reading a Wikipedia article on major depression, and it wasn't really an exact match to my issues I saw a link for disthymia, followed it, and it was a eureka moment. Disthymia w/a melancholic subtype rang as the nameless something that had been causing so many problems in my life. I believe I have the early onset form. Being undiagnosed means that I am also untreated, and am still experiencing a bunch of issues, in my personal relationships, and other areas of my life. Not being the type of person who seeks assistance from others, I have avoided seeking treatment. Also with the issues that some people have had, trying different meds, leading to some scary side effects, I have so far opted not to tinker with my already screwed up brain chemistry, and just live with. I don't recommend, anyone else, making the same choice I have, though, as this disorder can wreak a lot of havoc on ones life... Thanks for this video.

[@kevintorres3632]

Hmmm that's so intersting. I have been told by different psychiatrist that I have a depressive disorder but I never really saw it that way. In retrospect, I always just said I felt okay but not depressed just because I was always functioning and then had times were I felt depressed. so in a way I convinced myself that 'sad' was like my version of 'normal' and feeling indifferent was my version of feeling good because well there was a relatively positive shift in mood

[@uluzistherealest]

I watched a couple of these videos and it's like a journey down the rabbit hole! I always knew I am mentally ill but I never got a diagnosis. I have so many symptoms that I now believe that I am severely mentally ill. I don't really know what to do about it but the videos are helping me get to know what's my problems.

[@le_th_]

Such informative content. Differential diagnosis is so helpful for people truly wanting to know distinctions, and I bet it really helps people with certain diagnoses better understand and accept themselves. Thank you for your time and ongoing commitment to education!

[@QABM75]

There are so many good things happening around me but I can’t enjoy them, I feel nothing.

[@emmywalker07]

You're not alone hun. Xo

[@kellyberry4173]

And you are so beautiful.

[@kellyberry4173]

You keep going.. This world needs you!!!

[@kaneshacarter7790]

How are you now

[@QABM75]

@@kaneshacarter7790 I have more bad days than good, but I am beginning to feel again slowly. Thanks for asking queen.

[@markreamer5113]

I like to think of dysthymia as the roach you can’t get away from. It’s as if you, when you think about its origins, have to go through your mind with a fine toothed comb searching for that one or series of events that trigger.it. My mother divorcing my father did it to me. I could just feel, when I was 5, that I was not okay inside, and had to fake a smile. I was just going alone for the ride, and had to accept. Over the years I couldn’t and, I tried to change my thinking, but the feelings were so tenacious. I would feel so good throughout the day, then the next day I felt horrible, as if all those feelings were ripped away from me while I was dreaming. I didn’t have anyway to counter the negativity. So, this is, I believe , the origins of my dysthymia.

[@AjMarygold]

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for, thank you so much.

[@Joshualuv13]

This is all really amazing and incredibly helpful and the best part .Explained in such a clear and precise way it helps give ppl with questions, they may have been struggling along looking for anwers to for years .Thankyou Dr Mark's.

[@beverlychatman7850]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH DOC.MARKS. WE APPRECIATE YOU ❤️

[@kellyberry4173]

WE ABSOLUTELY DO APPRECIATE YOU 🙂YOU SOMETIMES ARE THE LIGHT WE SEEK.

[@danicesouza9004]

I am so tired of being depressed and taking different kinds of medicines I feel lost and frozen

[@ginettepagan3387]

Thank you for these videos. Your careful explanations help me so much understand myself and others. Keep doing what you do. ❤

[@pamyuhnke8143]

I’m trying to figure out if I have any, dep, and ADHD or maybe bipolar. These videos help. So does my amazing NP prescriber and therapist. Also, as an FNP, I can’t thank the mental health community enough for their knowledge and care for our shared clients! 💚

[@Sablemmy]

Thank you so much for this informative video. I'm currently struggling with dysthymia and general anxiety so I appreciate it whenever a qualified professional gives this lesser-known disease some attention.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

You're welcome SabobaX. Dysthymia is lesser known, but it still packs a big punch as I'm sure you know. Best wishes.

[@janicechung8172]

I've been on antidepressants for about 10 months after being diagnosed with MDD. But, I think the correct diagnosis would be dysthymia because I had always been depressed since I was in mid 20s - I'm 34 years old now. I thought it was just my nature being depressed.

[@oliviasanders3181]

I was recently diagnosed with dysthymia and your video is really helping me understand it better

[@karenkuske5567]

Thank you sister for your explanation of this disorder. As an adoptee I've always wondered what the deal was with myself. Thank you❤

[@rachelr8837]

I've been diagnosed with Dysthymia twice...it never does seem to go away...the constant cloud and fog is real. Even when you're purposely doing things you enjoy, it comes back quickly. The pandemic has made this so much worse!!

[@just1desi]

The pandemic destroyed my coping mechanisms i didnt even know i had. I didnt know how much i depended on the world being structured outside of my ups and downs. And the brief bursts of vivacious energy and happiness i could generate from regular socializing that helped me with the general low hum of lifes dullness

[@rachelr8837]

@@just1desi Yes...I think that's the general consensus and why so many people who were already "dealing with things" are having a hard (or harder) time...hope it gets better 4 u!

[@ashdacraft]

This is me and nothing helps-Ive refused medication however because it’s always shoved at me with minor diagnosis. But the therapists, the talks-yeaaaa-the stuff they say are a waste. The hobbies don’t help. I wish people would stop suggesting “traveling” I’m chronically bored and life is the most wack experience I’ve ever been forced to endure. Setting goals do nothing-I achieve them and then what? I feel nothing. Everything I’ve wanted to do I’ve done-most people argue me down about this one because They think I should want to do all these things that THEY want to do yet are meaningless to me-or-I’ve simply done already and felt no satisfaction. I don’t look forward to the future at all. Nothing about it. I’m alive for other people sadly -my dad and brothers would be sad cause they just lost my estranged mom but I see them once every...5-10 years and mostly because I can’t afford my cremation yet because my family won’t be able to afford it. And it’s worse cause no one wants to hear about some pretty, smart, talented person in good physical health with a good job and shit complain about life. “I should feel lucky” and I’m “blind to my privilege” I could careless because my looks and talents are not benefiting me-don’t day “they could” cause that always entails me using sex for something and no one pays for or cares about art or likes death metal enough to benefit me. It’s always somebody who has never purchased art or music a day in their life telling me how much money I can make with it. Life seems pointless if you don’t follow the same American Dream goal patterns as the rest. I don’t wanna do this for another 10 years. I don’t wanna kill myself but if I got in a car wreck I wouldn’t be mad.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

I’m sorry Ashley that nothing has worked for you. Unfortunately the skill of the therapist does make a big difference. And there’s so many therapies out there such as mindfulness training, somatic therapies etc. focusing on cognitive distortions and how you view the world tends to work better for someone with depressed symptoms like you describe.

[@aforest1934]

Hmmm! No sympathy

[@aforest1934]

Like not gonna be mean but you seem really narcisisstic and pompous its like you believe you deserve to be happier than other people because you think you're better. Guess what sis we're all miserable. My suggestion is to be more humble

[@daniellemcmath9664]

This was a great explanation, thank you so much! I am taking a psychopathology class and was having trouble understanding the difference between PDD and MDD

[@hillaryescucha4401]

Glad I found your KZbin page. I like how you explain things. Thank you!

[@tanyaferguson1738]

I was diagnosed with having dysthymia 15 years ago, I am now in my mid 50's. Until recently, not much was heard or known about this condition. And I I was once told that it was hard 2 diagnosis because people, like myself, are always pretending to be happy when around others, to the point that we exhaust ourselves physically and emotionally everyday. I still suffer from it every day and I've come to terms that I'll probably continue to suffer from it for the rest of my life. on a brighter note, if you do have this condition, we are learning more about it everyday but you I've just got know where to look for this information. The last place I expected to learn more about it was here on KZbin. Thank you Dr Tracey Marks.

[@wenesdae]

speak for yourself, I never pretend anything, I always say what I mean, mean what I say because the ones that matter don't mind and the ones that mind don't matter.

[@kellyberry4173]

@@wenesdae yea whatever, I have to go to my grandchilds school.. I have to go to church. I have to go places where I must remain nice. Yea there's days I KN TO KEEP MY ASS AT HOME... but there ARE SOME PLACES I MUST PRETEND AND BE NICE.

[@kellyberry4173]

I have no choice. My granddaughters MATTER... If I can't handle it that day I send someone who can.

[@wenesdae]

@@kellyberry4173 WHERE'S THEIR PARENTS? NO, YOU DONT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING , WHAT ARE YOU SAYING YOU'RE NOT NICE? OK FINE, ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS BE CORDIAL, THATS ALL IT TAKES, IT'S POINTLESS AND USELESS AND EXAUSTING TO PRETEND TO BE SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT, WHEN IN REALITY NOBODY GIVES A SHIT AND NO, YOU DONT HAVE TO GO TO CHURCH, RELIGION IS A SCAM AND YOU'RE A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC, YOU HAVE WHAT'S CALLED MAGICAL THINKING, YOU'RE SUPERSTITIOUS AND GULLIBLE, FURTHERMORE, WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS WORTHLESS, IT DOESN'T MAKE YOU A GOOD OR BETTER PERSON, WHAT YOU DO DOES

[@randommess6667]

@@wenesdae Wow thats very harsh but yes you do seem to speak your mind lol I avoid speaking to ppl as much as i can as I dont want to bring them down , or put my bad mood/vibe whatever it is onto them a tiny bit , My mum used to say Im making her depressed with the way i was,

[@rpcheesman]

"persist for a minimum of two years" - so, about 30 years is about right?

[@CheeseLover69]

Hey Tracy, just wanted to say I really enjoy watching your videos I’ve been struggling with dysthymia lately and your videos seem to help me alot. Thanks alot for doing what you do❤

[@flawlix]

Holy crap, the post you read describes me to a T, down to having a parent with a personality disorder that made my childhood hell, being in a good place about that, and still dealing with this constant flat, grey, dull feeling that makes each day a drag. I can remember times that I felt better than I currently do, but I can’t remember the last time I felt genuinely, purely happy.

[@NatalieNik]

Very informative and well explained. Being the daughter of a narcissistic mother I always felt this "cloud" over my head. When I was diagnosed with a depressive episode I knew it was accurate at the moment but I also knew the diagnosis wasn't enough to describe this "cloud" that is following me. I felt like it was a different thing. Realising that my mother has narcissistic personality disorder helped me make sense of a childhood where nothing seemed obviously wrong but nothing ever felt right. My studies in psychology and psychotherapy, medication and personal therapy helped me make better sense of my life. I got over the depressive episode but the "cloud" remains. Believe it or not your video helped me have a better understanding of what could be going on and I would like to go back to therapy and point out dysthymia as a possible explanation. My therapist has helped me a lot with depression but maybe she missed dysthymia.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Awesome Nat (with the better understanding). I'm glad the depression has passed. I also hope some additional work in therapy addressing the cloud and it's origins can help you thin out the cloud so it has less impact.

[@Contessa998]

Dr. Tracey Marks I don’t think you can talk away dysthymia, but that is my humble opinion. Don’t you need medication? Thank you

[@kellyberry4173]

@@Contessa998 well the thing is "THEY" want ALL OF US in talk therapy. Hell I talked FOR YEARS.. and sometimes GOIN THROUGH EVERY DAMN PROBLEM I EVER HAD MADE ME WORSE. Don't get the wrong idea... Many, many people need to talk. It's just not that helpful to me. But I'm older now and back then it's just what they did... Depends on what you have.

[@just1desi]

I love that phrasing. Nothing seemed obviously wrong but nothing ever felt right my mother was a narcissist to but on the surface we had a lovely upper middle-class life mom dad and all the siblings yet it was just a horror to experience and there's no clear way to explain to anyone how awful being in it felt at the time and in terms of PTSD afterwards. And the lifelong hovering feeling of being left of centre

[@ohsheela6297]

Thank You Universe for leading me to this channel! Great content here, very relevant to my studies and personal interests. New subbie WITH notifications so I don’t miss a thing ✌🏾💜 & 💫

[@DrTraceyMarks]

OhSheela I’m so glad you found my channel too. Thanks for subbing. I hope the content continues to help you 😊

[@lindab6328]

@@DrTraceyMarks your good.

[@noizycat]

Thanks for explaining the differences to major depression. I got diagnosed with dysthymia and major depression in the past, which confused me. Now I know it was double depression. The major depressive episode is over, but the dysthymia is still there. I'm able to do my job & live my life, but it's a constant struggle. Sadly many ppl don't unterstand high-functioning depression ...

[@lovecoloredward]

im currently in treatment for what i think is persistent depression (with signs of major depression) and i just have to thank you for making this video, it gives me so much hope! im 14 and im so thankful to be being treated early on. :)

[@juliabogajo]

I was diagnosed at your age with recurrent depression disorder, it's a battle I'm still fightin at 26. I hope you're doing fine!

[@kawaiiwitchbaby]

Oh damn, you're theory on losing a parent/parental separation is kind of what I've always traced back to when it all began for me and its been a domino effect of mental health issues from there. :(

[@DrSyl]

That’s awful, but thank you for having the strength to share. good on you for educating yourself and being empowered. Wishing you the best from Sydney Australia!

[@paulsharkey6576]

Hi functioning is not the correct label. It's more like barely functioning.

[@tashavance4964]

Truth

[@abbywilliams3112]

Right functioning labels are never helpful.

[@didy711]

100% correct.. what you said !

[@paulsharkey6576]

@@didy711 YUP!!! I've been in a constant stat of underlying depression for about 40 years. Hi Functioning? Yeah right!!!!!!

[@yahyawasim1994]

@@paulsharkey6576 Right... I feel like my life is this haze of low-dopamine activities I'm drifting through and everything is so gray, that that's how I perceive color.

[@DanielSRosehill]

Thank you for covering this, Tracey. It feels like most depression info is for MDD rather than PDD (which - as a dysthymic - it's hard to relate to!)

[@celticrose2]

It comes and goes. Some days are better than others. I won’t feel guilty if I have to sleep or cancel plans to protect my energy. Positive self talk with affirmations and prayer help.

[@Momo-xm1nx]

I feel like I’ve always had a low baseline for “being happy” even as a kid. It makes me wonder if I should still stick with the “chronic depression” diagnosis or consider asking if I might have dysthymia. Like even in big “good” moments I’m never really happy. I have very few “good” days but I’ve just always been like that, ya know? My personality just sucks lol

[@CollegeChick818]

I just feel blah. It's like most days, my emotions are nowhere near as strong as they should be. Like when I'm happy I don't feel like I'm as happy as I could be or if I'm sad and I feel like I should be crying I don't. (I actually don't know the last time I've cried- like really cried). I'll get mad, but that's the only emotion that truly appears. It actually kind of scares me that my emotions aren't as strong as I feel they should be. Now I probably should mention that I have ADD and Aspergers/pdd-nos so that could play into some of it, but I really don't know. I was also diagnosed anxiety and depression and I'm currently on zero medicine (apart part for my migraines). 😕

[@rosajay]

Thanks so much for this information! It really helped make sense of so many questions I was looking to answer.

[@eliannalevos7957]

New sub.. Currently going through this and this is helping me better understand my depression.. Thankyou,for your kindness and caring demeanor..

[@DrTraceyMarks]

You're welcome Eliana. Thanks for subscribing 🙂

[@naomibedek1701]

My depression started at age 4-5 yrs even though I had both parents. I was diagnosed with agoraphobia around 12-14 yrs. It was later changed to GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). I would say I have a constant 'baseline' level of depression. What kicks it into major depression is usually a number of life events in quick succession coupled with work stress. Perimenopause ramped up my anxiety x 10, and I had spontaneous episodes of crying for no apparent reason. Every 3-4 weeks, my mood would tank, to the point where I had suicidal thoughts. It was horrible.

[@karinalexandrov284]

Thank you Dr Tracey, that was very informative:)

[@DrTraceyMarks]

You're welcome Karin! 🙂

[@LecheVitrineUK]

I just found your channel, I'm in the UK and have a relativity complex medical history like lots of my family with both physical issues and psychiatric. I was diagnosed with some kind of ' high functioning' depression a number of years ago, I have also been diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and really bad IBS, I also have chronic fatigue, pain in joints, muscles, vasovagal syncope, and have hypermobile joints. Since I was 4 my parents and myself have been dealing with doctors who didn't take what I was experiencing seriously. i.e. when I was 4 being told I was just a lazy breather when I had sinus and ear infections so bad my ears bled and ruptured my ear drums, I ended up having my tonsils and adenoids out as they were the cause. So lots of physical illness through my teens chronic fatigue, pain, GI issues, fainting and doctors telling me that was nothing wrong and I needed to just ' push through'. So that's been my mantra, plus I didn't trust doctors at all. However 'pushing through' the relentless issues can bring you to a standstill. So I've been figuring out myself what is going on with me looking at the whole picture. I think I have hypermobile EDS which is actually linked to autism GI issues and conditions like vasovagal syncope and POTs. The problem is getting doctors to look at the whole picture together, including my history. They blame my GI issues on stress and depression and know nothing about EDS and ignore my resting heartbeat of 111. There is a real disconnect between psychiatry and medical Fields. It's blatantly obvious why I've been struggling with chronic depression all these years it's very frustrating when doctors don't listen and don't look at the whole picture, the whole picture provides the answers very often. Anyway this video just sparked all these thoughts. I'm seeing a cardiologist who has diagnosed the vasovagal syncope and he knows about EDS I'm not sure if he knows about autism though and ADHD we'll see.

[@realgirl2704]

Your videos really are helpful. Understanding depression goes a long way to being able to cope with it. I am 69 and have had dysthymia since my teens but didn't know it. At 65, after incredible stress, I developed MDD and it was terrifying. I took bupropion and it helped get me through my pain. Right now I'm not taking anything. After watching your video I realize I still have dysthymia and need to find help. Thank you for that. It's very kind of you to share your knowledge freely at a time when everyone seems to be selling something.

[@DrTraceyMarks]

You’re welcome real girl. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@AmazingAmaiya]

Wow, I can say I don’t ever remember feeling truly happy ever! I even say to everyone When my ship comes in it always has a freakin leak! I just got used to the fact that life isn’t happiness. I work , provide and on weekends I try to make until I go back to work. Nothing brings me joy. That is my normal. I used to be jealous of people always laughing and smiling. Even my Dr. my psychiatrist is always smiling and happy. I ask her if that is real? She says it is. I always have people around me laughing and no one notices that I am the only one not laughing . They say i should be a comedian. Idk 😐 I think this is as good as it gets. Meds suck .sorry to sound like a negative Nancy. Lol.... thank for this video!

[@DrTraceyMarks]

Hi AragonCharm. You must not stand out as a negative Nancy if people aren't noticing that you're not laughing. But that's one of the things about dysthymia is it's often a silent suffering. I wouldn't be surprised if there aren't more dysthymic comedians out there than one would think. 😐 You're welcome for the video.

[@gigidayz6936]

Girl you sound exactly like me.

[@AmazingAmaiya]

Seli B It makes total sense! Gigi days There are many not us out there. We go unnoticed because everyone around us is so happy. If they turned off the volume for the room the would hear our unhappiness. Dr. Tracey you can ask anyone in my family and they think I am this happy go luck person, when I am use barrels hanging on sometimes.

[@2ndChildwestCoastSo]

Agree meds are counterproductive. There is more to treatment than one or two neuronal release changing artificial chemicals

[@hermajesty52]

Struggled with this for 50 years now. People perceive me as a strong, funny, capable woman and are shocked to learn the truth. There is no shame in this condition. It is what it is. Like a thyroid problem. I have raised 4 healthy awesome HAPPY kids and mostly minimized the condition when they were young because I didn't want to freak them out and overburden them with adult problems but they know the severity now because I want them to be aware that it might be hereditary. Multiple doctors & multiple medications since 1975. No change. On the list to try ketamine spray....but again....probably not going to work. I am out of steam. I would try ANY drug at this point, legal or illegal if it would help me escape myself. Or at least give me enough energy to leave the house and go anywhere other than the grocery store..... :-)

[@hermajesty52]

@Anne Hedonia I'll check it out. Thanks.

[@BIBLE-a-s-m-r]

😭

[@Ather0nline]

Selfish, you want to put your kids in suffering?

[@wolfbenson]

I was diagnosed with this over 20 years ago. Your description is very accurate. For me, prozac and talk therapy worked well and eventually, I just used prozac.

[@Beatit444]

Dysthymia was one of the things I was diagnosed with as a child (along with 7 other disorders). I never knew what it was or remembered the name but this video was the information ive beeb looking for, for 20 years.

[@laurelinlorefield318]

On the separated parent .... What are your thoughts on implications for a child raised in a military culture with frequent moves, one or more parents seriously focused on mission and at serious risk, and a parent often gone on long deployments with few communication opportunities?

[@L00pTroop]

I'm struggling on BPD, Dysthymia and major depression since years. It is so hard because once you can handle the BPD symptoms well, the major depression take control and other way round. And the few days on which nothing tries to take control of you, the dysthymia avoids feeling good and regenerate for the next fights against BPD or major depression. And that makes the dysthymia to more or less the worst and most annoying thing of all. It is so an exhausting way of life and really hard to manage all of this and try to take part of an normal life with work and all the things. Some times I've no chance to handle all.

[@tommacbride3654]

Good show! I get a lot of understanding from you presentation. Putting a few things on the walls can keep the hollow sound on some of your shows. Thank again for th quality of information you bring. Cheers!

[@maddy.doesart]

Here’s my personal experience with dysthymia, if anyone wants to listen. I feel like it’s sort of different from most people but who knows; maybe not. I was just diagnosed with this a couple weeks ago and for some reason I am having a little bit of trouble accepting the diagnosis. I think it’s because I went in to get tested for ADHD, and instead I got diagnosed with anxiety (not a surprise at all) and dysthymia, which I may have heard of but I was relatively unaware of the condition at the time. At first it felt a little invalidating that I didn’t have adhd, because all my friends (most of who have adhd) believed I had it and were shocked to find out I didn’t. My therapist also believed I had it. My report even showed mild to moderately impaired concentration and impulsivity, but I get good grades and had the biggest strength in my memory, and received average or high average for a lot of the tests that were given to me (but there were also low averages too). (The higher the average, the more skilled or less impaired I am according to those particular test results). It still feels a little invalidating honestly but I gotta trust the professionals. I’m sure they diagnosed me right. But after doing research on dysthymia, I remember being at my boyfriend’s house and I just began to cry about it out of nowhere. Because it does make a lot of sense. There are days where I can be sort of happy, but i generally don’t feel a lot of excitement. Almost every day of my life feels like a drag. Very rarely is there something I look forward to, other than seeing my boyfriend. I only feel content with myself when I feel responsible and productive, but even then it’s a struggle to get myself to be motivated to do this. I have friends, and I love them all so dearly, but I don’t want to put in the work to be social with anyone except for my boyfriend, probably because I am mostly myself around him at it’s relatively effortless to talk to him. It’s almost like I put on a facade honestly. I did figure skating for a while but I cannot find the motivation to go back to the rink, which is literally five minutes from my house. I’m almost never the one to plan anything social, and even then it feels like I’m forcing myself to. Every day, I’m forcing myself to live life. I have been trying to be more optimistic and I believe I am doing a half decent job, but the reason why I’ve started doing this is because of how pessimistic I realized I was being. I think the only way to fix this for me is to feel like I’m giving something to society somehow, offering myself to the world. But how can I do that when I have no motivation to, at all? Is medication really going to fix that? I wouldn’t say I’m a very sad person, although I definitely do cry, but I’m also not a very happy person; I sort of just exist. And especially recently I’ve become pretty easily irritable, and I feel bad for being like that but my patience has decreased over time. I’m just not sure what to do. I just wish I had the drive to do more things like everyone else around me. I know my anxiety definitely plays a part in this, but knowing that I have dysthymia now, the realization of just not being a happy person overall, just hits me like a truck for whatever reason, even though I believe I have experienced symptoms of depression since I was around 14-ish years old? And I turned 18 not too long ago. Also, when a negative situation occurs, it really takes a toll on my life or my self-esteem, depending on the extent of the situation. Like, that will trigger a bit of an episode until I’m over it. Or sometimes, I will bubble up inside and just explode. I remember there was one day a couple months ago where I could not stop crying no matter what I did, because of a situation that really was not that bad at all; I’m serious. But I took it horribly for some reason. That’s about it. Sorry for the rant :). If u read this I love u and u matter and I hope u feel better soon. Maybe u can relate to this.

[@Lea-ov8vq]

Also I didn't realize my emotions were so dull compared to others, I always thought everyone was just exaggerating their emotions

[@sharko5300]

I am not sure when I first started to experience depression, possibly in my early teenage years. But depression certainly arrived when I was 18 it and I found my father's dead body. That as they say was a life-changing event. I have had depression for my entire adult life due to that incident. Depression is there when I wake up in the morning and goes to bed with me at night. Medicines can control it so that I can get keep myself together well enough to do things. But the little devil is always there just waiting for a moment of weakness. I hate this life and I am tired of it.

[@timmyc7898]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have often decried my self as “a depressed person with bouts of happiness”. Meds help but it takes out the highs and lows leaving me numb. Thx.

[@wendyberger8892]

My nurse friend who was depressed and on anti-depressants thought my issue could be dysthymia. I’m able to shower and go to work, but i feel a low level sadness and hopelessness. It’s been this way most of my life because of my situation in life. Anyhow..that’s all i want to share on here. Thanks for clarifying the dysthymia disorder.