21 Years Old and Depressed for Six Years

Reader’s Question

I have had depression for around 6 years. I’m only 21 but do not enjoy life at all. Everything seems like a waste of time and no matter what I do I get no pleasure from it. I just don’t know what to do to make things better. It’s hard to live in a world full of either pain or nothingness. I’d really appreciate some help.

Our Consulting Clinical Psychologist’s Reply

What you are describing is Dysthymic Disorder — a chronic depression that has been present more than two years. Chronic depression creates additional problems as we tend to gradually develop a depressed lifestyle that includes social withdrawal, no hobbies, no out-of-home activities, few friends, and a negative view of the world. When people become suddenly depressed, they are very uncomfortable as they can remember being happy only a few months before the depression began. In chronic depression or Dysthymic Disorder, as you describe, there is a sense that they have always been depressed, life has always lacked pleasure and purpose, and that nothing will help.

Depression is considered to be a disorder involving neurotransmitters in the brain. Serotonin seems to be directly related to several mental health problems, with low levels of Serotonin linked to depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, body dysmorphic disorder (e.g., your nose never looks right), and even aggressiveness. The treatment for depression involves a combination of antidepressant medications that raise Serotonin availability in the brain and counseling or psychotherapy. These treatments should be available in your community.

Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of individuals who experience chronic depression. Using the combination of antidepressant medications and psychotherapy, the client embarks on an adventure. As the depression lifts, personality features that have been smothered by depression for several years gradually emerge. Several years ago a female client reported that while washing dishes she suddenly noticed that she was singing.

We know how depression operates and there are treatments available. You can start with a family physician, obtain recommendations, and go from there. You can find additional information on depression on this website and several articles on my website at www.drjoecarver.com.