While going through the many phases of life, a person encounters a variety of situations he/she does not think they are capable of overcoming. There are times when one feels very low and thinks that they are incapable of anything. In some situations, we are hard on ourselves and are negatively impacted by them. Consequently, one becomes depressed.

However, this depression should pass with time. How about if it doesn’t go away and occupies a permanent place in the mind?

A persistent depressive disorder is easy to identify as it happens when a person is chronically depressed for a long period of time. It is not even noticed by the patient that when he/she got targeted by this depressive episode.

The term PDD combines dysthymia with chronic major depressive disorder, which was previously diagnosed separately. A person gets triggered by depression and anxiety both in this type of depression.

People who suffer from PDD may fall into deep sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness, as they do with other types of depression. In persistent depressive disorder, these symptoms may persist for many years in spite of the fact that they are present in all forms of depression.

It may become difficult for a working professional to work accurately at his/her workplace, for a child to study, or for adults to maintain their personal relationships due to the constant nature of these symptoms. Most of the hours of the day are just occupied by this persistent depression.

It is not easy to get rid of PDD. There are, however, combination therapies and medications that can be effectively used to treat PDD.

This type of severe depression is characterized by lingering depression or going in and out of depression for periods of time.

Depression Versus Persistent Depressive Disorder: What’s the Difference?

Well, depression or a depressive disorder is a sort of mental illness. In addition to attacking the person mentally and physically, it also affects the person spiritually. People who are depressed cannot think clearly, are physically unfit, and are not at peace with those around them.

Depressive disorder has many types, and persistent depressive disorder is one of them. The other types of depression are Major Depressive Disorder, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and Atypical Depression.

In comparison with major depressive disorder, it is less severe, but it has no end date and continues for quite a while. This means if one enters into this kind of depression, he/she may take a while tackling this mental ailment.

A person when struck by this dysthymic disorder, is entirely surrounded by negative vibes that give them panic attacks, anxiety attacks etcetera.

Rather than being severely depressed, they usually suffer from mild to moderate types of depression. Persistent depressive disorder patients’ memory doesn’t work well.  As they have trouble remembering when their depression began. They cannot just recall the moment, they got hit by severe depression when asked from them by their counselors or healthcare professionals.

Depending on the age group, its time period may differ. Generally, for adults, it lasts at least two years, and for children and teens, it may last at least one year. For PDD to meet the criteria, symptoms must not disappear after two consecutive months. If signs just fade away within two months or less by itself, then it cannot be considered a persistent depressive disorder.

As a form of chronic depression, does PDD commonly affect people?

Regardless of age, PDD can affect anyone. In terms of depression, PDD is quite common. Childhood or adulthood are both possible starting points. There is no explanation for its happening, there could be any reason.

People with PDD are more likely to be female and in people who have relatives suffering from PDD have a higher likelihood of developing it.

A mood disorder involving your body, mood, and thoughts, depression is characterized by a feeling of sadness. It affects your eating habits and sleep patterns, your thoughts, and your self-esteem. Having a bad mood or being unhappy doesn’t mean you’re unhappy. There is no sight of weakness here, nor it is something that you can wish away with your willingness to.

The symptoms of depression won’t just disappear if you want them to. In order to recover, treatment is essential. As compared to men, a woman is twice as likely to experience dysthymia.

How do you know you are at risk of having PDD: Causes or risk factors?

The cause of the PDD is not clear. But there are several factors that are believed to contribute to its origin, as with other forms of depression.

1. Chemicals present in the Brain

A chemical called serotonin is thought to be responsible for this change in the brain. In addition to this, it is also possible that medical problems and ongoing life stresses are contributing factors.

2. Genetics

If one is a woman, the risk of developing PDD may be higher. As well as being inherited, it often runs throughout the families.

Chances of one getting depressed could be higher if his/her family member is having this type of depression or any other depression.

3. Life Events Stress

PDD can also be caused by varied situations such as stress, loss of life, and trauma. In the case of a woman, it can be caused when she goes to a whole new environment or a new family after marriage.

What Signs and Symptoms Show that You are Stuck Under Persistent Depressive Disorder?

As with depression, PDD is characterized by similar symptoms. Except there is one key difference, and that is PDD is chronic, with symptoms occurring on a daily basis for at least 2 years.

The condition was previously called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder by healthcare professionals. It is commonly observed that people with Persistent depressive disorder have a sad, low, or dark mood on most days. The symptoms last at least two years.

The signs of depression in children and teens with PDD can instead be irritability. Moreover, there is a possibility that they will last for approximately a year.

The dysthymic disorder symptoms may vary from person to person, but the following are the most common:

1. Feeling fatigued all day long

When one starts feeling tired all the time, it might be due to the brain’s thinking process. As a result of overthinking, one’s condition worsens due to one’s brain getting stuck on one thought.

2. No more interest in the activities you used to enjoy once

People with PPD are more likely to lose interest in the activities they once enjoyed doing or participating in. They just don’t feel like doing anything because if mentally a person is not well, it won’t allow him/her to do any physical activity.

3. Feeling frustrated most of the time

Even though dysthymic disorder is not considered as a severe form of depression but still the time period it takes makes one feel frustrated all the time. They start avoiding communication with their close ones so that they won’t just hurt them with their words or so.

4. Staying in isolation, maintaining distance from the world

Individuals caught by this mood disorder don’t like to be surrounded by people. They don’t even like the presence of their own family members or close ones. They feel like no one in this world knows what they have been going through.

5. Getting aggressive in small events

When one is depressed, he/she doesn’t know what is going on with them. Most of the time at an early stage this type of mood disorder is not identified. So, they don’t really realize what’s wrong with them, they just get these mood swings all the time.

6. Loneliness and hopelessness

Initially, the person suffering from depression feels so trapped by fearful thoughts that they are left feeling lonely. The loneliness comes along with the feeling of hopelessness, that nothing will turn out right for you.

7. Blaming oneself worthless

One starts to believe that he or she is unworthy because one begins to believe that one can’t accomplish anything. The truth is that they don’t think anyone likes them, which is not the case.

8. No participation in social events

PDD patients try to escape themselves from being social. They avoid going outside and joining the people of their society or going to parties. Living alone they prefer most of the time.

9. Eating a lot or not eating at all

Always being stuck with deep thoughts people suffering from this dysthymia either eat a lot or don’t feel like eating at all. And not eating well means you are not giving your body the proper amount of nutrients to fight against various ailments, from which depression is one.

10. Trouble sleeping or oversleeping

Individuals dealing with this mental ailment struggle with sleep. Sleep assists a lot with depression but thoughts in the brain of PDD patients don’t even allow them to sleep. Sometimes, they sleep too much because they prefer to be cut off from reality.

Persistent Depressive Disorder in Teens: Signs and Symptoms

The grown-ups are more prone to mood disorders as they are in a phase of life where it is hard to teach them about life’s complexities. Teenagers are more vulnerable as compared to people of other age groups.

Life at this stage can be challenging, and it can be difficult to grasp how to handle the challenges. Teenagers’ signs of persistent depressive disorder may include:

1. Lower self-confidence

Teenage is the age at which a person is more vulnerable to different life events. At this period of time, they are at the stage of initially learning about the ways to tackle the problems that are based on reality.

Their self-esteem goes low in case they are unable to deal with these challenges of life. Consequently, they feel stressed and it may lead them to depression.

2. Cut off with family and friends

Whether it’s a case of competition in studies or games or sports, it is always very important for juveniles to stay in a row. Not only to stay but to keep up with the good work.

In case they are not capable of doing so they lose confidence and are cut off from their family and friends. They think that it will be hard for them to look into their close one’s eyes.

3. Stay isolated

If they think they are doing everything in their life up to the mark, they will keep themselves isolated. They feel not worthy of anything.

4. No talking to anyone

Grown-ups sometimes while going through difficult situations avoid talking to everyone and maintain distance from their family and others. Doing so leads them toward severe depression.

5. Lack of interest in favorite things or games

Teenagers feel some situations so hard to deal with that they even start losing interest in their favorite things or games they used to enjoy playing.

6. Feeling worthless:

If one starts getting the feeling of worthlessness, it becomes very difficult to regain their trust in themselves again. Most youngsters at some moment experience this life-challenging situation.

7. Crying for small reasons

When grown-ups think that they won’t be able to accomplish the tasks assigned to them, they start feeling stuck. They feel so ashamed and overthink about the same all day. These people do cry for no reason or very small reasons.

8. Lack of sleep or over-sleeping

Juveline being hit by PPD usually sleeps a lot or they don’t sleep at all. Depending upon the stressful situations they are tackling or the type of person they are.

9. Overeating or not eating properly

Some teenagers eat a lot while stressed or depressed and some don’t even prefer to eat. But one thing they must know is that eating healthy may treat them successfully against any level of stress to some extent.

Would it be possible to prevent persistent depressive disorder through any means?

The prevention of persistent depression can be possible to some extent but is not guaranteed.

It’s very hard to recognize the symptoms of persistent depressive disorder especially when it is in the initial stage. Childhood or teenage years are the most common times in which the condition is likely to happen, so identifying children at risk may help them get treatment earlier.

Otherwise, the situation becomes more challenging and it becomes hard to tackle. In spite of the fact that you can’t prevent depression, there are some things you can do to lessen its effects:

• Consume healthy food items: Ensure that your diet is balanced and consists of nutritious foods.

• Exercise or workout routine: Maintain a regular exercise schedule.

• No alcohol & no substance use: Avoid drinking alcohol and taking drugs.

• Work on stress-level reduction: Make sure you maintain a healthy level of self-esteem and reduce stress.

• Always talk to your close ones: To weather tough times, reach out to family and friends.

• Reach out to see a doctor: You can prevent symptoms from worsening if you seek treatment as soon as you notice a problem.

• Consult doctors if notice any side effects of medicines: It is important to take prescribed medications correctly and to consult your healthcare provider if you experience any side effects.

• Talk to your doctor about noticeable changes in your Persistent depressive disorder form: Inform your healthcare provider of any changes in PDD that occurred after taking medicines.

• Stay in touch with your healthcare professional: To prevent symptoms from recurring, seek long-term maintenance treatment.

The aforementioned steps are really helpful when one is struggling with persistent depressive disorder or any other kind of mood disorder.

What would be the best treatment for PDD?

Persistent Depressive Disorder can be effectively treated with a few efforts like

1. Consulting a doctor and having the proper medication

Whenever you think it’s the right time or you feel stuck in between your wiring thoughts, you should call for a consultation. It’s never too late when it’s about goodness.

There are chances that this sickness of yours can be treated well with medicines.

2. Going for counseling or psychotherapies

Seeking help from counselors may profit you with the health you require. Talking to someone about your worries helps a lot and psychotherapists are of a lot of help in these cases.

3. Change in lifestyle

Persistent depressive disorder is a form of depression that constantly remains there for at least 2 years or more. Because it is very hard to discover it at the initial stage if you see any symptoms of PDD. Try to adopt  a few lifestyle changes like:

• Include workouts in your routine or going for a walk every day can help.
• Meditate
• Add nutrition to your daily meals and make them healthy meals
• Spend time with the people you like
• Do things you like to do
• Do self-care routine
• Go for routine check-ups with your healthcare professionals.

On the contrary, a combination of medication and talk therapy, or counseling can be extremely effective for patients with persistent depressive disorder.

What do healthierfolks want to say?

Keep in mind not to delay your efforts concerned with your health. However, it may cost you more than you ever thought. Stay in touch with factors that pave your way to a happy and healthful life.