Have you ever felt that your depression has been around for as long as you can remember? You might ask yourself, “What is this feeling I can’t shake off?” or “When will it end?”. If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing Persistent Depressive Disorder.

Understanding Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent Depressive Disorder is a unique depressive disorder characterized by the length of time experiencing the symptoms. Most individuals diagnosed with this disorder have experienced a combination of depressive symptoms for two years or more.

For many, persistent depressive disorder can develop in childhood, leading many to assume that it’s just a personality trait. The feelings may come and go, but when they arrive, it can be hard to shake it off. You might think, “Well, how did I get this anyway?” or “What is the root of this feeling?” Although the answer is unclear, many times, persistent depressive disorder is genetic and typically more common in women.

To get help for this disorder, the first step is to identify the symptoms. These can include:

- Desperation

- Hesitation

- Distraction

- Low Self-Esteem

- Fatigue

- Lack of/too much sleep

- Weight gain/loss

- Increased/decreased appetite

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If you are feeling a combination of any of these symptoms, a mental health professional can identify if you’re experiencing persistent depressive disorder by getting a complete evaluation.

Prevention and Treatment

There are no known preventative measures to take for persistent depressive disorder. However, there are treatments. Studies have shown Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to be helpful in treatment of both major depression and persistent depressive disorder.

Final Statement

If you have been experiencing an everlasting feeling of depression, along with a combination of depressive symptoms, you may be experiencing persistent depressive disorder. I encourage you to reach out to our specially-trained therapists here at Pacific CBT, who are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free 15-minute video consultation.

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