Psychotherapy: Help for Dysthymia and Cyclothymia

Dysthymia and cyclothymia are two mild forms of depression that can last for years.

For mild depression, help is often available through psychotherapy. In psychotherapy the patient "unlearns" behavior patterns and responses that lead to depression, helping the patient identify elements in their life that cause depression.

Psychotherapy can either be long-term (years) or short-term (10 to 20 weeks). These are "talking" therapies that, with the help of the therapist, allow patients to examine and resolve their issues. In some instances, the therapist will assign homework that will supplement the work done in session.

Here are some of the more common methods of psychotherapy used to treat depression:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a short-term therapy in which the therapist helps the patient identify and change patterns of thinking and habits that feed the disorder. Theoretically, by developing better thinking habits, patients "unlearn" negative patterns that cause their symptoms.

Interpersonal therapy is a second type of short-term therapy that examines the patient's relationships with others. It helps identify relationships and interpersonal problems that cause or exacerbate depression.

Usually used when the patient is on the way to recover, psychodynamic therapy is a longer-term therapy designed to help the patient resolve current emotional conflicts by discussing early childhood conflicts and experiences. For patients to benefit from psychodynamic therapy, they must be open and honest with themselves and their therapist.

A more specialized form of interpersonal therapy, family therapy seeks to mend family rifts and stresses that cause or exacerbate symptoms. It allows those members who have never experienced a depressive episode to get a better understanding of its effects on the sufferer, and educates all family members on effective coping strategies.

Many therapists offer depression support groups in addition to one-on-one sessions. Support groups allow patients to discuss their condition with fellow sufferers. Participants can learn how others deal with their symptoms, and gain a sense of community by realizing that they are not alone.

Most psychotherapy will touch on more than one of these models. Over time, psychotherapy can be a powerful treatment for mild but chronic depression.

Resources

Long, P. W. (nd). Dysthymic disorder. Retrieved September 21, 2001, from www.mentalhealth.com/dis1/p21-md04.html.

National Institute of Mental Health. (updated 2002). Depression [NIH Publication No. 02-3561].

Scholten, A. (reviewed 2002). Psychodynamic therapy: Exploring the unconscious mind. Retrieved August 4, 2004, from www.swedish.org/16950.cfm.