Types of Depression.
There are different forms of depressive disorders and each has its own unique symptoms, causes and complications. Diagnosing the type of depression is important to the psychiatrist as it helps him or her to chalk out the line of treatment. The different kinds of depression are explained below
Major Depressive Disorder|Major Depression|Clinical Depression.
This form of depression shows a combination of symptoms which interfere with daily needs such as eating, sleeping, work, study along with an inability to enjoy activities which he or she once enjoyed. Difficulties in sleeping or eating can mean either in excess or insufficient.
This kind of depression can be moderate or severe and typically lasts for about six months if left untreated. Though it is a recurring form of depression, some people may experience only one episode in their lifetime. Major depression disables the life of the patient and can prevent him or her from carrying on their daily activities.
Dysthymia or Chronic Depression.
As the name suggests, this type of depression typically shows low grade chronic depression (less severe than major depression) but which last up to two years or more. Though the person feels low, it does not disable the person but does not allow him or her to function to full capacity.
Due to its long time period, it does give the person an impression that this feeling of depression or feeling low is an inbuilt part of his nature and not anything abnormal. During a lifetime, there may be one or two bouts of major depression along with dysthymia and this combination of two depressions is called double-depression.
Atypical Depression.
This type of depression is characterized by moods that improve or become worse depending on events. Persons with this kind of depression feel better when they receive good news or at a social gathering with friends. However, this mood lift is temporary.
Other symptoms include increased appetite, weight gain, excessive sleep, a very sensitive nature to insults, fatigue and a heavy feeling in the arms or legs.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Also called seasonal depression, this depression has a direct bearing on the season. This type of depression starts in winter when the days are overcast and bright sunlight is limited and lasts till spring or early summer.
Seasonal affected disorder is more commonly seen in northern climates and in younger people. However, very rarely SAD may start in spring or early summer and lift in winter. This is referred to as “summer depression”.
Postpartum Depression (PPD).
Postpartum is a medical term for post delivery of a baby. Baby blues is a condition that is seen in 75% of women after they have given birth. Baby blues refers to mild depression which mothers may experience after giving birth to their baby. Symptoms include despair, sadness, anxiety and irritability.
Baby blues develops because of the mother’s overwhelming feeling in response to the hormonal and physical changes after delivery and the feeling of responsibility of caring for her newborn child. This lasts only for a few hours or at most a few days.
Postpartum depression refers to a more serious form of depression which is seen in one out of ten mothers who have given birth. The National Institute of Mental Health defines postpartum depression as the severe depression which a new mother develops within one month post delivery.
This form of depression can develop after giving birth to any child and not necessarily the first one and it can develop days or even months after childbirth. This depression keeps the mother from doing her daily routine work. In untreated cases, the symptoms can get worse and can last for almost a year. Though this condition is serious, it can successfully be treated with medicines and counseling.
Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression.
This is also referred to as manic-depressive illness and is less common than major depression and dysthymia. This form of depression or disorder is characterized by a complex mood disorder in which there are cycling mood changes where periods of major depression alternate with periods of extreme happiness or mania.
Manic episodes can include hyperactivity, sleeplessness, rapid speech, impulsive attitude, sudden changes from extreme joy to being angry and hostile and a strong sex drive. Each of these episodes of depression and mania last typically up to a few weeks. Though the symptoms of depression in bipolar are similar to those of major depression, the treatment varies and antidepressants can worsen the depression of bipolar disorder.
Summary.
From the types of depression explained above, some are more severe than others, and some are more common. The different kinds of depression are identified because the treatment may vary according to the type and from person to person.
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