Very well put. I too have dysthymia. And unfortunately that “long-term functioning depression” can and does last for years on end. Not to mention that you can also suffer bouts of normal depression on top of the dysthymia depression. Double whammy, as it were.

But yes, I’m pretty sure (at least for me) the only way that I seem to be able to produce dopamine involves food; the junkier the better, but healthy food is not the same. It’s probably the sugar that does it. I’ve noticed the longer I go without eating sugary foods, the worse my moods get.

That video explains it very well. Thank you.