Sunday, March 1, 2015

Dysthymia

I've had a few people write to me saying their lives are adrift.  They've lost interest in everything.  No libido.  No hobbies they are interested in.  Trouble getting out of bed in the morning.  Not so interested in meeting people or dating.  They go to work everyday and take care of all the basic stuff so they are functioning -- but life is a grind. 

If this goes on for a while, it could be a low level, persistent depression.  The clinical term is dysthymia.  Aka Persistent Depressive Disorder or Neurotic Depression.   Low energy and drive, and a low capacity for experiencing pleasure in everyday life.

What to do about it?  I guess some would immediately jump to prozac or maybe psychotherapy.  I'm not sure that solves the underlying problem.  If you're a single gay man over forty, life can be hard.  Meeting someone can be hard when most of your "compatriots" are really looking for a hot 25 year old.  I think building up a good network of friends will help a lot.  I wish others felt the same way so they would put as much effort into it.

These decades when you are 40's and 50's and 60's should be some of the best in your life.  You're probably more financially stable.  More established in life for sure.  More comfortable with who you are.  But this is theory.  There's no easy answer.

I hope readers will comment on this.  I was disappointed that there was little reaction to the videos I posted.

4 comments:

  1. Over 40 and single. I never thought I would be in that category, but here I am. I use to look for a partner but the guys I meet near my age are either out of shape and set in their ways or just with too many decades of baggage. The 20s crowd just does not seem to fit well and I feel guilty for dating a guy who could be my son. I am to the point where I can accept being single for the rest of my life - I just do not believe the next great love is in the cards and I have to learn to be okay with that. Not all of us get to live happily ever after and I refuse to let that get me down.

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    1. Don't give up. Keep an open mind. There may be a guy out there you just haven't connected with yet.

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  2. Re: dysthymia. I've got it in spades. However, I do know that if I did more physical exercise, I could banish at least a portion of the problem. The thing is, it has been so incredibly cold and icy here, I physically can't exercise outdoors. And my unheated basement (where I have a professional-grade treadmill) is nearly as cold as the outdoors (ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's too cold to stand around inactively), so I'm not motivated to go down there to move. Maybe I'll feel better when I can get out and ride my bike again.
    -Scott

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    1. The cold is a real problem, I am really averse to going out in the cold and that is limiting my physical activity I hope to move to a warmer climate.

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