Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia)

TriBeCa Therapy is located in Downtown Manhattan, NYC and provides individual psychotherapy and group therapy for adults, children, teens and couples who are looking for creative help in living and building their lives.

Dysthymic Disorder (often called Dysthymia) is a strange sounding word for the diagnosis most commonly given for what we, in everyday language, refer to as depression. Dysthymic Disorder is used when describing a prolonged period of depressed mood that, while painful, is not as severe as that characterized by Major Depression.

While diagnoses can over-determine the scope of the conversation, they can also be a useful jumping off point in exploring the various sorts of pain people are in. Your experience need not fit precisely into a given set of diagnostic criteria. If you are in pain, regardless of how you or others might characterize that pain, you can get help. For many who experience Dysthymia, this is a non-incidental question. Patients often come to me and say something along these lines: “I’ve just felt sad most of my life (for the past few years, etc) and I can’t really explain it.” Others comment that they never thought there was “enough wrong” for them to seek help.

Many people live with sadness and unhappiness, but it’s never the case that we have to live our lives that way. Sadness, however incidental it may seem–and regardless of our ability to get by in spite of it, does not have to be a fact of life.

Dysthymic Disorder and psychiatric medication

There is much discussion over whether or not exploring psychiatric medications is of value. Many fear the long-term side effects or  see a decision to take medication as weak. While I don’t view a decision to take medication as “weak,” I certainly respect those who would rather move forward without medication; I commonly work with people who’ve decided to forgo medication and are looking for an alternative. While each decision is quite personal, I frequently consult with patients on the question of adding psychiatric medication as well as supporting patients who are already taking medications to reduce or stop taking those medications. I am not qualified to prescribe or advise people on the medical implications of psychiatric medications–your primary care doctor, or a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner are the only ones who can do that, and should be at the center of any decision regarding taking or stopping taking psychiatric medications. That said, psychotherapy is a great context for exploring alternative ways of growing and creating a happier, more sustaining, and more meaningful life.

Group therapy as an option for Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia)

Regardless of your decision about medication, the best outcome for those who struggle with Dysthymia, or depression of any kind, involves an active, aggressive commitment to building your life. Group therapy is an excellent context for doing so. Why? Read more here.

Being sad is a part of life. Being sad all the time or most of the time (even only a “little bit sad”) doesn’t have to be the case.

For more information on creative psychotherapy in New York City for difficulties with Dysthymic Disorder (Dysthymia), contact:

TriBeCa Therapy
matt@TriBeCaTherapy.com
212-571-5799
291 Broadway, Suite 801
New York, NY 10007