Do you have any more info on these "neurotic depressions", because I know an individual or two who fit the profile and I wish to hell they'd get over themselves... It would seem to me that these would be the most common-- what was once termed "hysterics" in women, for example... What's the current wisdom on effective treatment, or is it pretty much like a Southern snowstorm-- just wait for the sun to dry everything up?
Dysthymic Disorder is characterized by a chronic depressed mood for more days than not over a period of two years or more. Common symptoms are low energy, fatigue, sleep disorders, low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness. Sometimes, the presenting complaint is indecisiveness and trouble making decisions. Generally, the point prevelence is 3% and the lifetime prevalence is 6%. The usual treatment is psychotherapy, individual,group or family: some individuals report response to one or more of the antidepressants to a greater or lesser degree. Generally, antidepressants are less effective in this disorder than in more acute and serious, biological depressions.
The only other tip I can give you is to find out not what an individual wants to do, but what they don't want to do. The answer will often lead you to the type and nature of the psychotherapy.