Treating Dysthymia

Term Paper # 108659

Psychology > Disorders
Psychology > Therapies

Treating Dysthymia

A look at ways to treat dysthymia, a mild form of depression.

773 words () | 2 sources | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses dysthymia and explains that it is a mood disorder that can be characterized as a less severe form of major depression and that it can be anything from a passing mood of sadness to a condition of misery, suicidal thoughts, and even delusions. In particular, the paper looks at current treatments such as medications and psychotherapy and proposes a new method of treatment involving making the patient understand that their problems might not be as bad as he thinks.

From the Paper:

"Current treatments for dysthymia are medications and psychotherapy. Medications include antidepressant drugs such as Prozac. These medications work by slowing the removal of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These brain chemicals are needed for normal brain functions such as controlling mood, apatite, sleep, pain, and thinking (Wikipedia). The antidepressants help make these chemicals more available to the depressed individual. The other form of treatment, psychopathology, includes therapy and counseling. Supportive counseling can help address the feelings of hopelessness and change pessimistic thinking, overly critical self-evaluations, and unrealistic expectations. Therapy can also help the individual cope with the stress that is causing the mood disorder. "

Sample of Sources Used:

Wikipedia. 24 April 2008. The Wikipedia Foundation. April 20, 2008. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysthymia>
Lakey, SL. "Antidepressant use in nonmajor depression: Secondary analysis of a program to encourage active, rewarding lives for seniors (PEARLS), a randomized controlled trial in older adults from 2000 to 2003." Pubmed 12-20. March 2008. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.libproxy.unm.edu/pubmed/18396244?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum>