can dysthymia turn into a more serious illness,bi polar,schitzo?
602924
Dysthymia as u know is a form of the mood disorder of depression characterized by a lack of enjoyment/pleasure in life that continues for at least two years. It differs from clinical depression in the severity of the symptoms. While dysthymia usually does not prevent u from functioning, it prevents u a full enjoyment of life.\nDysthymia  symptoms are fairly mild on a day-to-day basis, but, over a life time it can be a severe disorder with high rates of suicide, work impairment, and social isolation. Dysthymia typically lasts much longer than an episode of major depression, and outsiders often perceive dysthymic individuals as dour and humorless. When a major depressive episode occurs on top of dysthymia, clinicians may refer to the resultant condition as double depression. So I think u need to get some treatment.
459213
Generally, if someone with schizoaffective disorder is functioning well on a medication regime and they continue to comply with treatment, it is not often that you see any degeneration in their condition. However, it is not uncommon, particularly if people have been well for some time, for them to attempt to come off medication, which often leads to relapse (not always, but mostly). Another significant problem can be the long-term use of medication itself. This condition is usually treated with a mood stabilizer in conjunction with an anti-psychotic. The anti-psychotic medicines at a high dose and over a long period of time can cause a condition called "tardive dyskinesia", which can affect movement and speech. Obviously, this is not desirable and careful monitoring of physical health, as well as mental state is an absolute must. Overall though, it is very difficult to predict, as each individual's experience of the illness is different, including how long it takes to relapse, what the signs are, how long the recovery process takes, etc. I hope that this helps!
963879
My daughter has a boy friend who has a form of Schizophrenia, you can not really tell by just looking, in his case when he gets worked up, stressed he starts to panic and gets scared of every thing that is normal to him, he scared to get on a train or to go out side like normally he would, luckily for him he knows what is happening and he go himself to the hospital where he is treated mainly by rest and some calming drugs . He does not get violent. So I would say any one who has it would start to have a character change, depending on the gravity of their illness, as for the suffering I do not think you can tell how much it is , you can not tell how much some one suffers when they have a migraine but I am sure they do.
389567
NO!!!!  NO!!!! NO!!!!\nHaving schizophrenia is something you have to deal with every day all of your life & it affects every aspect of your life.  Having postpartum psychosis is a temporary problem that when treated goes away and doesn't return--unless you have another baby and have the same problems again!  PPP may seem to some to come on suddenly--but the signs are present before the child is even born--a good doc would take notice of it, if they don't the family and friends of the mommy to be would.  I've had ppd-postpartum depression- and it wasn't something that just happened over night, it had been building up for months:  2 kids under 3 & another one on the way, middle of a divorce from a physically & mentally abusive man, trying to work full time and finish college--it would make any one depressed, add the hormone fluctuations of pregnancy & Poof!  You've got a Mad Mommy!
1051897
Regarding responses you've already received...Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Bipolar Disorder are probably not what's going on.  The symptoms you describe sound much more like Borderline Personality Disorder to me.  Google it, go find it on WebMD, whatever...just check it out and see if the descriptions sound familiar.  No matter what you choose to do, the most reasonable and sensible course of action is to first see your regular doctor to rule out any physical illnesses that could be producing your symptoms (i.e., problems with your pituitary, thyroid or adrenal glands, etc.).  Next, if your doc doesn't find evidence of any physical causes, have him/her refer you to a psychologist or counselor for evaluation.  Jumping to conclusions and trying to diagnosis yourself is just asking for trouble especially if you're already depressed - you'll end up thinking you have every symptom of every horrible illness you hear or read about! :)  Go seek answers and help from competent professionals who have actually spent years of their lives learning about how to diagnose and treat illnesses.  That's what they went to school for - so the rest of the population can pick their brains and get answers when they need them without having to do all the studying themselves! :)
1117594
Your 3rd what?  In any case, some people may make it up, but even then that means that there is still a mental illness at hand. You could have the genetic traits for bipolar disorder within you for years until they are triggered by something and then you need treatment. Mental illness is real. Unfortunately, some do believe as you just said and think it's a fairy tale. I'm here to tell you that it isn't. Those people don't help the situation either. They need an education on the facts about mental illness and what it does to people. I hope that things start to look up for you, keep up with your treatment and don't let the naysayers in.
1120444
It is a mental disorder, when the chemicals in your brain are out of whack! \n\nThe person that has been diagnosed with a bi-polar disorder usually has tremendous mood swings.  Very jolly one minute and extremely angry in the next moment.  The individual may have a learning disability.  It can be severe enough to cause harm to others or to oneself. Can be very quick to anger.\n\nThe good news is that it can be treated.  Many very talented and famous people are bi-polar.  Or the individual just learns how to deal with their problem without medication.  It just take awareness of oneself.
792761
It depends on the type of mental illness, and the severity of that illness. Some people are blissfully unaware that they are "crazy" and some people who have a mental illness are painfully aware of their illness. \n\nSome types of mental illness, such as schizophrenia, lend themselves to a higher level of "non-awareness," and certainly that changes within those diagnosed with schizophrenia, based on a number of individual factors. \n\nSometimes, when people with mental illnesses are not on prescription medication, or have a prescription, but are not taking it properly, or at all, they have a higher rate of psychosis, or hallucinations, or other symptoms may be exacerbated. \n\nSome folks with mental illnesses such as depression, or bi-polar illness know very well that there is something wrong. And other times, other mental illness, like character disorders, ingrain themselves so deeply in the very root of who people are, that they don't have any way of looking at the world except through those lenses of experience.  So in some cases, they have no frame of reference for thinking that they are "mentally ill." \n\nFinally, there are times when people may have become so ill from their mental illness and lack of resources like therapy and medication, that they spiral deeper into their illness. People have done awful things in those desperate times, and when they are then back on medication, the weight of coming out of that "fog" but knowing that something was terribly wrong is so heavy on their hearts and minds that they just want to disappear into their mental illness again. \n\nMental illness is terribly sad and it wreaks havoc on people and their families. And contrary to popular belief, the bulk of the mentally ill are not homeless people downtown. They're mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers. They're regular people, trying to live regular lives.
711564
Yeah you should check with your doctor.  Bipolar is a very severe illness and you shouldn't ingest anything without knowing what affect it will have on your mood
338743
yes i can , being bipolar you will have major mood swings. one day you can be so high on life and feel everything is great and the next day you will be so depressed that it is hard to even get out of bed. bipolar can be very dangerous.and if you think you may be bipolar you should seek help right away. i know these things because i am bipolar, manic depressant, and have multiple personalities. good luck and GOD BLESS YOU!!!
750303
she's been cleared by Dr's that she's not Manic Depressive or Bi-polar??\n\nI would suggest that she see's a Dr again for a check up things can change.  Everyone gets depressed,but comatose like depression on a regular basis is NOT everyday depression.
486532
If you go get medical attention they can tell what is wrong with you. But hopefully you just have a short temper. I  know someone who is bipolar and its not fun they said they wish they just had a short temper so best of luck to you. But go get some medical attention. Let me know what happens i will keep you in my thoughts.
855514
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356\nBipolar disorder\nIntroduction\n\nFrom high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.\n\nBipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.\n\nThe flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.\nSigns and symptoms\n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there may be periods of normal behavior.\n\nManic phase\nFor many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:\n\n    * Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem\n    * Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken\n    * Difficulty sleeping\n    * Tendency to be easily distracted\n    * Inability to concentrate\n    * Aggressive behavior\n\nDepressive phase\nIn the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:\n\n    * Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness\n    * Disturbances in sleep and appetite\n    * Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities\n    * Problems concentrating\n    * Irritability\n    * Chronic pain without a known cause\n    * Recurring thoughts of suicide\n\nCauses\n\nDoctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.\n\nEvidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.\n\nFactors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.\nRisk factors\n\nBipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.\nWhen to seek medical advice\n\nPeople with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek professional help.\n\nIf a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder, encourage that person to seek the care of a psychiatrist.\nScreening and diagnosis\n\nYour doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders, sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline per
1132280
No, a person does not have to be suicidal to be bipolar.  Also there are many different types of bipolar.  Type 1s generally is what most people think of when the hear the word bipolar...it has the manic highs and depressed lows.  Type 2s are the more docile of the types...more low lows and low to medium highs.  Generally speaking people with type 2 bipolar are often misdiagnosed as having depression or even cyclothymic disorder.  Ask you doctor to screen you for Type 2 Bipolar and check out www.nami.org.
562760
Bi-polar Disorder should not be used as an excuse for unrelated, bad behaviours/character flaws. It can be difficult for anyone to 'kick' an addiction, but it can be done.
738076
Bi polar is a chemical imbalance in the brain which causes and individual to go from feelings of depression to feelings of mania (excitement) very quickly.  You may notice that he has some strange ideas and is very excited at times, and other times very calm or tired acting.  Depends on the individual if the mania or the depression states are worse.  Most people have longer mania states than depression, but suffer worse during the depression states.\n\nYou may notice at times that he appears to have drank a lot of coffee, and at other times, there is no motivation to do anything.  \n\nBest thing for you to do, is be there for him and understand what he is going through.  You can also let him know that you care about him, not his medical condition, but as a friend you would like to see him taking care of himself since you care about him, and want him to continue with his medication.  \n\nHe will thank you for it.
248502
I'm a clinical pyschologist and these sound like symptoms of bipolar! Being tested for this is the best way to tell if he has it. When a person is diagnosed for biopolar, there is really nothing one can do to help there negative moods! The best way is to get him tested! Good luck!!