In: Nursing
Using the DSM-5, create a patient scenario around dysthymia diagnosis.
Dysthymia is also known as Persistent Depressive Disorder.
It is a disorder in which the mood of the patient remains depressed for more than 2 years atleast in case of adults and for 1 years in case of children. This comes in critera A of DSM 5.
Dysthymia is a chronic major depressive disorder in which the symptoms remains mild but lasts longer. The patient always complains of having sad mood,and the patient usually presents with 3 or 4 more symptoms according to criteria B of DSM 5. These symptoms become the part of the daily routine of the patients.
For example:A 52 year old women was presented to psychiatrists for the complaints like weight loss,loss of appetite and sleeplessness. Her son also noticed some behavioural changes since 4 years in his mother like withdrawal from self and no interection with family members. She is suffering from GERD and taking its medicine like pentaprazol. She has been also suffering feom multiple sclerosis and was taking vasospasm like nifedipin.
She got increase increase in disfigurement of face and ulceration of digits which showed development of psychiatric symptoms.
On mental status examination patient was found to have negative views about her life and future,death,negative self image and depressed mood since 4 years.
There was no family history of psychological disorders
The patient do not drink and smoke.
The patient according to mental status and symptoms over such a long period is diagnosed with Dysthymia.
Antidepressants,relaxing exercises and supportibe psycotherapy can be recommended to the patient for the treatment.