What Is Dysthymia?
10. Suicide Risk
A person diagnosed with dysthymia is not necessarily suicidal. People can live for years with PDD without suicidal thoughts. However, the greater the length of time a person suffers from depression, the more likely it is that these thoughts will occur. Symptoms also tend to worsen over time.
A person with dysthymia is significantly more likely to take his or her own life than a person who does not suffer from any type of depression. While depression alone cannot explain suicidal behavior, depression combined with other mental conditions, especially manic episodes, does appear to put people at high risk. Those with the anxious subtype of dysthymia tend to make unsuccessful suicide attempts, often as a way of seeking help. Up to 15% have a drug dependence, which is also a contributing factor.
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