Understanding Persistent Depressive Disorder

Anyone suffering from depression would have a question — when will it end? If the person is dealing with Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), the answer won’t be an easy one. A person experiencing PDD goes through long-lasting and continuous feelings of depression. Even joyous events or occasions fail to brighten up the days. Coping with its many symptoms is a mammoth task, and the person needs to brave the recurring episodes of mood swings or persistent sadness. Let’s discover more about this disorder. 

What is meant by Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Persistent Depressive Disorder is another form of chronic depression that lasts longer. It lasts at least two years in adults and one year in children and teens. The symptoms usually come and go but they last for more than 2 months at a time. PDD is not as severe as major depression, but the symptoms are more or less the same.

Symptoms of PDD include:

• Feeling lonely, sad, empty, or hopeless

• Low self-esteem

• No interest in normal activities

• Problem concentrating and making decisions

• Fatigue

• Low energy

• Sleep problems, sleeping too much or lack of it

• Increased or decreased appetite.

• Increase or decrease in weight.

• Avoiding social activities

Persistent Depressive Disorder is treated with medications such as antidepressants and/or counselling like talk therapy. Making changes to your lifestyle can also improve your symptoms. If you cannot prevent it, you can make it less severe with a well-balanced diet, exercise, taking the prescribed medications, limiting alcohol, and talking to your doctor about any changes in symptoms.