Long-term depression generally refers to a condition called dysthymia. The chief hallmark of dysthymia is the duration of depressive symptoms. Adults are considered to have long-term depression if symptoms last for two or more years. Children and adolescents can be diagnosed as such if their depression remains for a single year or more. Sufferers experience symptoms such as sadness, fatigue and loss of energy but not often to the extent of someone suffering from major depression, which is generally episodic. Long-term depression can often be successfully treated with medication and counseling.
Medication
The most commonly prescribed medications for long-term depression are antidepressants. Keep in regular contact with your physician while taking an antidepressant. Report any problems you experience while taking a particular drug. Do not discontinue use unless directed so by your doctor. According to "How to Take an Antidepressant" in the magazine Psychology Today, many patients are not treated for antidepressants for as long as they need to be.
Counseling
Professional psychological counseling can be extremely beneficial for some patients suffering from dysthymia. This is especially true for individuals who are experiencing stressful events or have traumatic, unresolved issues from their past. With time, a qualified therapist can lead a patient through cognitive behavior therapy, which is a psychotherapy that involves talking about what you are thinking and feeling and how that affects your behavior.
Family Therapy
In some cases, a family must attend therapy sessions when one person is suffering from depression. This is crucial when the person’s dysthymia is jeopardizing a marriage or causing significant family strife. Family therapy involves the entire household in the process of coping with long-term depression. It teaches techniques for conflict resolution and practical skills for managing family life when a loved one is mentally ill.
Hospitalization
In some cases, long-term depression might escalate in severity to the point that hospitalization is required. If a person is having suicidal thoughts or is physically harming herself, she might need 24-hour monitoring in a psychiatric facility. Other signs that a person needs to be hospitalized are if she is unable to take care of basic needs. Patients are often released once medications and therapy diminish their depressive symptoms to the point where a doctor believes they can safely return home.
