[Justbigoldme]

Hi and thanks for taking the time to read and hopefully answer this.

I suppose I should first say that I have never seen a mental heath prof. and so haven't been diagnosed with anything but from reading about dysthymia I'm pretty sure I have had it for years now.

In any case, what I'm interested in is to know if it can be a symptom of dysthymia that various insignificant things make me feel empty or just "not right". For example changes in weather or unsuitable weather for the season make me feel "confused" and empty somehow. On sundays I feel like there's little reason in living. Being in some parts of the neighbourhood, or some cafés or whatever other establishments makes me irritated or "confused" for no good reason. Some activities, tv shows, music often the same. Some things I may in theory like but feel like they would make me feel empty at the moment. The same can even be with a product or a design etc. I always feel less empty and "confused" at night regardless of where I am, when it's dark so I often wait for that. I generally prefer to have any conversations relating to emotions at night cause that's when I feel like myself more. All these things I'm sometimes ok with when I'm more stable. It's nothing
cripling and I'm a reasonably functioning person but I'm often avoiding one thing or another in order not to feel the emptiness and "confusion". And one way to deal with that feeling for me is by eating which leads to other problems...

I don't know if this is a recognizable symptom of dysthymia or some other mental disorder...?

[optimize990h]

Hi Justbigoldme!

Neat the top of the Depression Forum page are threads that has a lot of info. The thread,Top Depression Resources Online has a lot of leads to information.
The thread "Welcome to the Depression Support Group" is another one that can help.

You need to see a psychiatrist to diagnose an illness, plus see your medical doctor so that a medical condition can be ruled out as causing some of your symptoms.

[Justbigoldme]

Thanks but 've already read plenty online and haven't really found a description of the symptoms that I mentioned. And it's a little complicated for me where I am to see a psychiatrist right now. I just wanted to know if other people experience similar symptoms, I imagine I can't be the only person in the world...

[astronoe]

Hi justbigoldme! I like your username. It suggests self-acceptance, which is always good!

I am not familiar with those symptoms, but I agree that you should go see a professional. Take the time to find one who listens and is willing to go through the process of helping. In the meantime, maybe try to avoid those places that make you feel so irritable and confused?

[allimsaying]

I really dont know and I wish I could answer that for you. For me, sometimes I would like to do away with all these labels and categories. We're just people, not disorders but I know understanding what our symptoms are can lead us to information that will help. I would say that if you can find a way to work with your feelings in a healthy way it shouldnt matter if its text book approved, just that you're dealing with it.