Treatment and Prevention
Both medical treatment and psychotherapy can be used to treat dysthymia.
Almost two-thirds of affected individuals will benefit from antidepressant medication,
such as selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., fluoxetine,
citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline). Anti-anxiety medications such
as benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam) are less effective and aren't recommended
for long-term treatment.
Short-term psychotherapeutic approaches to treating dysthymia are quite
effective at treating the symptoms of depression. Effective psychotherapies
include cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and
problem solving psychotherapy. The effectiveness of any one of these interventions
is similar to antidepressants (60% response rate) when administered by a qualified
therapist trained in psychotherapy.
The herbal preparation St. John's Wort may be helpful in mild depression.
There is no research in North America on using this product for dysthymic disorders.
Herbal remedies are not closely regulated. This means that the amount of active
ingredient may be uncertain in some products. Prescription medications, on the
other hand, are strictly regulated and must contain exactly the right amount
of active ingredient. Caution must be advised before people self-medicate to
treat dysthymia. Just because a remedy is available over-the-counter and is
herbal doesn't mean that it's safe. Adverse reactions to herbal remedies are
increasingly reported to physicians. Before turning to St. John's Wort to treat
dysthymia, it's vital to first discuss this option with a doctor.
It is an unfortunate myth that dysthymia is not a treatable medical condition.
Approximately two-thirds of sufferers can expect recovery with the use of either
antidepressant medication or one of the specific psychotherapies.