The Types of Depression

If you seek treatment for depression chances are your therapist will classify your type of depression based on what your symptoms are, their intensity, how long they last and possibly what might be causing your depression. Many times symptoms of depression are associated with other illnesses such as alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, endometriosis and anxiety disorders.

• Major Depression – Considered the most serious type of depression, people who suffer from major depression exhibit a greater number of and severity of symptoms then people with a lesser type of depression. One sign therapists look for when diagnosing major depression is how an individual’s depression is impacting their daily life. If they are losing or have lost interest in doing things they used to normally do there is a good chance they are suffering from major depression.

• Dysthymia – This is a less severe form of depression. Many of its sufferers go through life feeling sad, melancholic or just don’t seem to enjoy their lives. These feelings are mild compared to those who have major depression but people who suffer from dysthymic depression are more susceptible to becoming a victim of major depression.

• Bipolar Depression – Also known as manic depression or bipolar disorder is characterized by major high and low mood swings. These mood swings can occur suddenly for no apparent reason. These up and down mood swings are believed to be caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry and can usually be treated successfully with medication.

• Atypical Depression – This form of depression is interspersed with periods of happiness and feeling good. These happy episodes are usually related to a positive event in the persons life.

• Postpartum Depression – About 10% of new mothers experience some form of depression after they give birth. Most of the time the depression is related to sudden changes in hormone levels afterbirth and the symptoms go away as the new mother’s hormone levels return to normal. Women who suffered from depression previous to giving birth are more likely to experience postpartum depression.

• Psychotic Depression – This is an extreme form of major depression. The symptoms, including the major depressive symptoms, include auditory hallucinations (hearing voices), visual hallucinations and delusional thinking. These hallucinations and delusions are frightening and negative and make the sufferer dangerous to not only themselves but to others as well.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Also known as the “Winter Blues” is a form of depression that occurs during certain times of the year. In this case it normally occurs during the winter months with the depressive symptoms the worst during the middle of winter. Most research indicates that it is related to the amount of bright light a person is exposed to which leads to changes in brain chemistry.

Depression is the most talked about and known about psychological illness. TV commercials are full of ads about medications which can help depression and just about everyone knows someone who suffers from its affects. It is important if you think you or someone you know suffers from depression to seek some form of medical help. With proper diagnosis all forms of depression can be treated and its sufferers returned to a normal life.