Is this Dysthymia?

Bufger

So my brother has been depressed for a long time now and when i say depressed i mean he doesnt ever want to do anything, doesnt want to speak about whats going on, doesnt show any interest in anything! He goes from fitness freak (but still depressed) to complete binge eating. He suffers from insomnia at the moment but around christmas time it was hypersomnia (or whatever the lots of sleeping one is called!). He also did used to smoke alot of Marijuana at one time but has since stopped, also when he did drink he used to drink himself into oblivion on nights out but he's also calmed that down alot.

Although his symptoms seem to drastically change from one end of the scale to the other his general mood still stays the same.

He's starting to see the doctor about his depression now but ive also been having a read (as i like to try and understand what hes going through) and it sounds a bit like Dysthymia but also a bit like another form - kind of a hybrid?!

Does/did anyone suffer from this on MSE? could you please let me know if this sounds similar to anything you've been through and what helped you cope? The family will always be there for him but its a hard time for us all and as my partner is now expecting our first baby and we're getting married this year i fear that he just gets deeper into depression because he see's our lives turning out ok and he see's his own as a misery

Any advice is appreciated!

squirrelchops

Hi,
I am no expert but have both studied and worked with people with mental health issues.

What has struck me is the excessive behaviours you have described. The going from being a 'fitness freak' to binger...both very extreme behaviours in themselves even without having swung from one to the other.

I almsot felt that bipolar seemed more of an option given what you have siad about the mood swings.........however if it is chronic it could be cyclothymia...........again like depression and dysthymia, cyclothymia is a 'lower level' version of bipolar but more chronic in terms of how long people suffer with it.

I hope I have explained myself well enough!

mrcow

Bufger wrote: »

He's starting to see the doctor about his depression now but ive also been having a read (as i like to try and understand what hes going through) and it sounds a bit like Dysthymia but also a bit like another form - kind of a hybrid?!

Trying to diagnose and label medical conditions from what you read on the internet is not productive. Asking unqualified strangers on the internet for their opinion on someone they've never met based on medical conditions you have read about on the internet is also not productive.

If your brother is already under the doctor, then doing what you are already doing and supporting him and being there for him is great. Keep it up. Be there for him, make time for him.

Bufger

squirrelchops wrote: »

Hi,
I am no expert but have both studied and worked with people with mental health issues.

What has struck me is the excessive behaviours you have described. The going from being a 'fitness freak' to binger...both very extreme behaviours in themselves even without having swung from one to the other.

I almsot felt that bipolar seemed more of an option given what you have siad about the mood swings.........however if it is chronic it could be cyclothymia...........again like depression and dysthymia, cyclothymia is a 'lower level' version of bipolar but more chronic in terms of how long people suffer with it.

I hope I have explained myself well enough!

Thanks, yes that does probably more accurately describe what hes going through.

mrcow wrote: »

Trying to diagnose and label medical conditions from what you read on the internet is not productive. Asking unqualified strangers on the internet for their opinion on someone they've never met based on medical conditions you have read about on the internet is also not productive.

If your brother is already under the doctor, then doing what you are already doing and supporting him and being there for him is great. Keep it up. Be there for him, make time for him.

I'm not looking to cure him, i dont even want him to know that im researching this and i dont plan on using any material found to change anything in our relationship - i simply want to understand what hes going through so instead of feeling any anger or frustration (as i still do at times) i can fully come to terms that this is a medical condition.

Its very unlikely that he will share anything he learns from the docs with the family, he is a private person and is the kind of bloke that would see any mental problems as a weakness, if i didnt research this i just wouldnt know what he's going through and my sympathy would give way to frustration.

Errata

Sometimes some fitness freaks take take sterioids, which can cause wild mood swings.

lorietta

Just so you know, a lot of mental disorders are generally not as clear cut as other illnesses, every single one arguably has unique systems. Also, more than one disorder can occur at once (I think this is called co-morbidity). From what you have said about the fitness freak vs binge eating, it could be that he is at risk of developing an eating disorder. I would keep an eye out for any behaviour that could put his health at risk.

If he is seeing a doctor then hopefully they can help him, but bear in mind the waiting list for therapy on the NHS can be as long as a year. They may offer him drugs, but these don't really solve the problem, only mask some of the symptoms, and many people with depression choose to come off the drugs because they find that- whilst the drugs lift them off the bottom, they can stop them feeling any emotion at all. Of course, sadly, there is always the chance the doctor will dismiss his problems, if this happens, you should encourage him to get a second opinion at least, because GPs are not experts on mental health, also, you should encourage him to be 100% truthful with his doctor.

To be honest, there is a lot of stigma surrounding mental health issues, and if he doesn't want to share with you, then that is his right, however much you care. Despite this, if you ever believe him to be at risk of harming himself, or if you think his depression is getting worse then you should encourage him to talk to a professional.

I am by no means an expert on depression or mental health, but I am studying a psychology degree and I hope this information can help you. I know depression can be a scary thing, but you have to try and be there to suport your brother. However, you also shouldn't feel bad about living your own life and depression can be a very selfish condition, you can't put your life on hold for him.

If you want to learn more, I woudl suggest finding an entry level textbook on psychology/pyschopathology (the scientific name for mental illness) as this will be more reliable that the internet and might help you understand his condition more fully.

Bufger

Thanks for your advice everyone.

Errata - steroids was something i had considered but he hasnt got as big as i would expect someone on steroids to get. He hasnt been lifting weights he's just been running lots and doing quite long distances. Then he'll quit that and spend a few months just watching DVD's and binging on rubbish foods. I'm guessing it still could be, im hoping the doc may be able to sort out that side of things if it is.

Lorietta - Thanks for your advice. Im not expecting him to talk to me about it at all, we've always been close but as we're both male we never have talked about feelings (although im more inclined to i still wouldnt as it would make him uncomfortable). Thats the problem with an illness with a stigma, my dad wont acknowledge it, my mum just wants to solve it (nagging/shouting etc) rather than sit and be supportive and although i dont live at home with them all anymore i feel like i would be the only one he could talk to if he ever did want to but because of the whole macho thing it stops him from venting his frustrations (im a great believer in talking about problems, venting helps people feel better!)