I read the description for dysthymia and it sounds like me, as long as I can remember.

I have better days. I call them "good days" where things don't seem so bad and it usually lasts for only a week or two, sometimes less. The good days are never really happy days, just days where I'm not in pain or feeling terrible about myself. I'm almost numb with some fleeting feelings of contentment. I'm still get tired easily and can't really concentrate.

Then everything comes crashing down on me and the pain is just so overwhelming and everything seems so hopeless. The good things I really do never seem to be that great and I focus more on my weaknesses. The things I can't fix. Or I say something out of being irritable and feel guilty about it for a day or two. Or say something that may have been perceived the wrong way and I'm beating myself up over it. Or get angry at someone for doing something that really isn't that significant.

I'm critical everything around me and I call myself a realist. I sometimes feel really negative around others even though I don't think I am negative.

My relationships and performance at work has suffered and I feel that if I don't straighten up, I will lose my job eventually.

I keep thinking that running away or finding a new job will solve my problems.

I'm struggling with getting help due to the better days I have. It cycles. I often question myself. Am I really chronically mildly depressed? Do I really need help? Is this normal?

Do you have better days with dysthymia?