What can you tell me about dysthymia? Are there any physical changes in this condition? My mother is 57 years old and she has been diagnosed with this condition a month ago. It seems that she had it her entire life! Is it possible that it could have affected some system in all that time?
It is not very likely. It is a form of depression and therefore, it should not express with some physical signs. The bad thing is that really might last for a lifetime, but it can be treated or at least held under control. Sometimes the patients do not even consider it as an illness, only a part of their personality. Meds and therapy should be very helpful.