Chronic Depression is As Bad As Any Disease

By Jay Wyshak

Chronic depression is also called dysthymic disorder or Dysthymia. This illness can be serious although not as severe as bouts with Major Depression. Someone you know may have Chronic Depression and you would not know it. Having a regular life is very possible for people with this condition. It's not unusual for them to continue everyday activities such as attending school or having a social life without great difficulties. Of course it's invisible to the outside world because the effects from this illness are on the inside. The effects are mental and physical.

They also found that the relatives studied were six times more likely to have chronic depression if their family member had become chronically depressed by age 13.
Experts are not sure what causes dysthymia. This form of chronic depression is thought to be related to brain changes that involve serotonin, a chemical or neurotransmitter that aids your brain in coping with emotions. Major life stressors, chronic illness, medications, and relationship or work problems may also increase the chances of dysthymia.

A mental health specialist generally makes the diagnosis based on the person's symptoms. In the case of dysthymia, these symptoms will have lasted for a long time.