10 Symptoms of Dysthymia
8. Avoiding People
When feeling sad, people not suffering from a mood disorder typically seek out friends and family to cheer them up. Chronically depressed individuals, on the contrary, want to be alone. They tend to avoid social settings such as parties or restaurants. They are notorious for not answering their phones because talking to others can cause extreme anxiety. Sometimes they just can’t think of anything to say.
Social avoidance is not the same as agoraphobia, which is the irrational fear of open or crowded spaces. A depressed person does not fear the actual crowd, he or she simply does not want to associate with anyone. Social avoidance is also not the same as being an introvert, which is a shy person who enjoys spending time alone. Introverts have the same capacity for joy as anyone else, and extroverted people can likewise develop dysthymia.
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