[tautologic]

My husbands therapist feels that his depression is Dysthymia. He labels it as a "sub-clinical" depression and claims it does not require medication.

Anyone have this or know anything about its treatment?

I agree that he does have this...a chronic everpresent mild depression...but I don't feel it should be overlooked and dismissed as not requiring treatment.

[silver_moon]

Dysthymia is considered as a form of depression, as you say a 'mild' form of depression. It's common that it runs in families but may not be the case.
What I do want to mention is that over 50% of people diagnosed with Dysthymia will develop major depression.... so yes I agree with you that this should not be ignored. Is there anything that you think could be causing your husbands depression? E.g. Money problems, work, stress? Often seeing a 'self-help' therapist helps. These are not qualified counselors, but are trained to talk with and listen to a person and work with them (through writing activities and such) to help them see why they are depressed and recover from it.

Please keep trying to find someone who will help your husband, there will be someone who will agree with you that he needs treatment/help.

Best wishes, Molly

[Sannah]

His therapy isn't helping?

[tautologic]

Supermansgirlfriend: Life triggers him. He has adjustment disorder as well. His depression has been present since he was 12.

Sannah: No therapy has not helped much. He has been seeing his present therapist for 2 years now. (we have gone through 3 psychiatrists and 5 counselors now) He has encouraged him to come off all meds. ( has been on various meds since 1999) 9 months ago, he quit all medications. Since then, many of his depressive symptoms have heightened. I told the therapist this on a recent visit (he asked to see me) and he informed me that he believed my husbands depression, although present since adolescence, is situational. That our marital problems are causing the depression rather than the depression causing the marital problems. This is where we disagree. The problems present in our marriage, have been an issue for him in every relationship (friend or romantic) that he has ever had. We have been married 18 years. He has no social life and doesn't interract with his family at all. He grew up in an alcoholic environment wiht an absentee father.

[Sannah]

Originally Posted by tautologic

our marital problems are causing the depression rather than the depression causing the marital problems. The problems present in our marriage, have been an issue for him in every relationship (friend or romantic) that he has ever had. He has no social life and doesn't interract with his family at all. He grew up in an alcoholic environment wiht an absentee father.

He didn't make any progress on any of these issues? Maybe a new therapist is in order????? Sounds like he needs to learn some relationship skills. This is very doable. Has he taken his mental health into his own hands, taken the lead, so that he can get better?

[puckyjan56]

i too have been told that i have this particular depression but mine runs much deeper below the norm and then runs higher. who knows but i am on medication and maybe one day i will know for sure. medication may be an answers.....good luck.........pj56.............xxoo