Dysthymia Treatment
Sadness is a normal part of life, and is experienced at times by all people. Because sadness is common in recovery, the clinical staff at Morningside Recovery distinguishes between normal levels of sadness and dysthymia. Morningside’s psychologists and therapists listen for clients who often report chronic fatigue, despite spending more time sleeping. Probably the most common symptoms are irritability, poor concentration, anxiety, or self-imposed isolation. At Morningside Recovery, treatment for dysthymia is comprehensive, with the correct medication combined with exercise, nutrition and therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is very useful in treating dysthymia. CBT is undertaken when people decide they are ready for it and with their permission and cooperation. At Morningside, the therapy is directed at the person’s specific anxieties and tailored to his or her needs. It is often said to be more effective than medication because there are no side effects other than the discomfort of temporarily increased anxiety.
Medication for dysthymia usually consists of low doses of antidepressants to compensate for chemical malfunctions in the brain. Medication can make therapy more effective because if someone is too depressed to talk, he or she won’t benefit from psychotherapy or counseling. All counseling is structured at Morningside to acknowledge that the way a client thinks affects the way he or she feels. Clients learn to think rationally about common difficulties, and to change their thought patterns and the way they react to certain situations. Treatment helps clients re-establish goals and rewards into their lives. According to Melissa Holmes, Academic Coordinator, many sufferers of dysthymia have lost touch with the goals and rewards that come from fun activities. For some, it can be putting together days of sobriety. Others take advantage of Morningside’s academic programs.
Regardless of the cause of the disorder, our thoughts about the disorder can greatly impact the disorder itself, and hence recovery. Clients learn to gauge their reactions to situations. One client explained: “I used to get so frustrated when I was looking for a job. If I didn’t hear back from an employer I would get depressed, anxious and give up on applying altogether. Now I recognize how I’m feeling and just keep applying.” A big part of therapy is the structured daily schedule. Clients have a plan each day to stay busy. The serene setting in Newport Beach is perfect for exercise skills. One client said it helped her this way: “Just going to the gym, and talking and doing things with other sober people was huge for me. Before Morningside I was isolating and feeling depressed. I cut myself off from other people.”
Negative thinking interferes with recovery and makes the person more vulnerable to dysthymia in the future. Clients learn to recognize unhelpful thinking and replace it with more realistic thinking. As well as helping people manage negative thoughts, treatment at Morningside also involves looking at behavior. This includes helping people find new ways of going about their everyday activities. This can include examining the way the person may react to certain people or situations.
It’s important that families and friends are involved in therapy. Families and close friends of clients also learn about the illness so they can be supportive and understanding. Education about dysthymia helps people find new ways to support and get along with the suffering loved one. The psychological treatment programs at Morningside not only help a client to recover, but can also help to prevent a recurrence of dysthymia.
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