Types of Depression

How Many Types of Depression Are There?
By RockinJay
Depression is complex. can linger and grow for months or even years before being detected .  Studies have shown that millions of Americans will suffer some form of this year.  Unfortunately fewer than 1/3 of these people will look for help.  Often the sufferers don't even know they're sick.  Every day stress is common in the modern world. It's more difficult to navigate the obstacles in life.  Many families are surviving week to week.  Trouble in the economy has made it more difficult than ever to keep a good job.  Stress leads to or even schizophernia. 

There are many different types of depression.  Some of the labels mean the same thing. There is mental depression, medical depression, clinical and manic depression.  There is also severe that alludes to the final stages of the disease.  can result from a variety of causes.  One of these is simple biology, brain chemistry issues.  DNA also carries depression.  Those with family histories of are at risk.

Psychology Information Online provides information on the following depressive disorders:

    *  Major - This is the most serious type of depression, in terms of number of symptoms and severity of symptoms, but there are significant individual differences in the symptoms and severity. You do not need to feel suicidal to have a major depression, and you do not need to have a history of hospitalizations either, although both of these factors are present in some people with major depression. There is no official diagnosis of "moderate depression."

    * Dysthymic Disorder - This refers to a low to moderate level of that persists for at least two years, and often longer. While the symptoms are not as severe as a major depression, they are more enduring and resistant to treatment. Some people with dysthymia develop a major at some time during the course of their depression.

    * Unspecified Depression - This category is used to help researchers who are studying other specific types of depression, and do not want their data confounded with marginal diagnoses. It includes people with a serious depression, but not quite severe enough to have a diagnosis of a major depression. It also includes people with chronic, moderate depression, which has not been present long enough for a diagnosis of a Dysthymic disorder. (You get the idea!)

    * Adjustment Disorder, with - This category describes that occurs in response to a major life stressor or crisis.

* Bipolar Disorder- This type includes both high and low mood swings, as well as a variety of other significant symptoms not present in other depressions.

Other Types of Depression:

    * Post Partum Depression – Major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby. Depressive symptoms usually begin within four weeks of giving birth and can vary in intensity and duration.
    * Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – A type of depressive disorder which is characterized by episodes of major which reoccur at a specific time of the year (e.g. fall, winter). In the past two years, depressive periods occur at least two times without any episodes that occur at a different time.
    * Anxiety Depression - Not an official type (as defined by the DSM). However, anxiety often also occurs with depression. In this case, a depressed individual may also experience anxiety symptoms (e.g. panic attacks) or an anxiety disorder (e.g. PTSD, panic disorder, social phobia, generalized anxiety disorder).
    * Chronic Depression – Major depressive episode that lasts for at least two years.
    * Double Depression – Someone who has Dysthymia (chronic mild depression) and also experiences a major depressive episode (more severe depressive symptoms lasting at least two weeks). See above for definitions of these two categories of depression.
    * Endogenous Depression – Endogenous means from within the body. This type of is defined as feeling depressed for no apparent reason.
    * Situational or Reactive Depression (also known as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood) – Depressive symptoms developing in response to a specific stressful situation or event (e.g. job loss, relationship ending). These symptoms occur within 3 months of the stressor and lasts no longer than 6 months after the stressor (or its consequences) has ended. symptoms cause significant distress or impairs usual functioning (e.g. relationships, work, school) and do not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder.
    * Agitated Depression – Kind of major depressive disorder which is characterized by agitation such as physical and emotional restlessness, irritability and insomnia, which is the opposite of many depressed individuals who have low energy and feel slowed down physically and mentally.
    * Psychotic Depression – Major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (e.g. hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs).

    * Atypical Depression (Sub-type of Major or Dysthymia) - Characterized by a temporary improvement in mood in reaction to positive events and two (or more) of the following:       
          o significant weight gain or increase in appetite
          o over sleeping
          o heavy feeling in arms or legs
          o long standing pattern of sensitivity to rejection

    * Melancholic Depression (Sub-type of Major Depressive Disorder) - Main features of this kind of include either a loss of pleasure in virtually all activities or mood does not temporarily improve in response to a positive event. Also, three (or more) of the following are present:       
          o Depressed mood that has a distinct quality (e.g. different from feeling depressed when grieving)
          o is consistently worse in the morning
          o Waking up earlier than usual (at last 2 hours)
          o Noticeable excessive movement or slowing down
          o Significant decrease in appetite or weight loss
          o Feeling excessive or inappropriate guilt

    *Catatonic Depression - (Sub-type of Major Depressive Disorder) – This type of is characterized by at least two of the following:
          o Loss of voluntary movement and inability to react to one's environment
          o Excessive movement (purposeless and not in response to one's environment)
          o Extreme resistance to instructions/suggestions or unable/unwilling to speak
          o Odd or inappropriate voluntary movements or postures (e.g. repetitive movements, bizarre mannerisms or facial expressions)
          o Involuntarily repeating someone’s words or movements in a meaningless way

Treatment will differ depending on the type of based on its severity and various symptoms. For example, the focus of therapy may vary or different antidepressants may be prescribed targeting certain symptoms.

Common factors can lead to different types of depression.  Substance abuse can lead to depression.  Both alcoholics and drug abusers can contract depression.  is more likely after a close person dies.  Mental historically has a stigma associated with it.  Prior to mental illness being recognized as a disease it was considered by many to be a personal defect.  As a result treatment wasn't applied in a way that could help the patient.  Negative effects persist through all the stages of depression.  Therefore treatment requires early detection.

Major depression is probably one of the most common forms of depression. You probably know a handful of people who suffer from it. The sufferer seems to walk around with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders. He or she seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state. There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite and a weight loss.

Atypical Depression: Atypical is a variation of that is slightly different from major depression. The sufferer is sometimes able to experience happiness and moments of elation. Symptoms of atypical include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. People who suffer from atypical believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise). Episodes of atypical can last for months or a sufferer may live with it forever.

Psychotic Depression: Sufferers of psychotic begin to hear and see imaginary things - - sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist. These are referred to as hallucinations, which are generally more common with someone suffering from schizophrenia. The hallucinations are not "positive" like they are with a manic depressive. The sufferer of psychotic imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

Dysthymia: Many people just walk around seeming depressed - - simply sad, blue or melancholic. They have been this way all of their lives. This is dysthymia - - a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives. Medication is beneficial for this type of depression.

Manic Depression: Manic can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic have an extremely high rate of suicide.
Seasonal depression: which medical professionals call seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is that occurs only at a certain time of the year, usually winter. It is sometimes called "winter blues." Although it is predictable, it can be very severe.

Cyclothymic Disorder:A milder yet more enduring type of bipolar disorder. A person's mood alternates between a less severe mania (known as hypomania) and a less severe depression.
Mood Disorder: Due to a General Medical Condition (Depression may be caused or precipitated by a known or unknown physical medical condition such as hypothyroidism.)

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder:Depression may be caused or precipitated by the use or abuse of substances such as drugs, alcohol, medications, or toxins.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):This condition affects people during specific times or seasons of the year. During the winter months individuals feel depressed and lethargic, but during other months their moods may be normal.

Postpartum Depression:A rare form of occurring in women within approximately one week to six months after giving birth to a child.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder:This is an uncommon type of affecting a small percentage of menstruating women. It is a cyclical condition in which women may feel depressed and irritable for one or two weeks before their menstrual period each month. 

The good news is that very effective treatments are available to help those who are depressed. However, only about one-third of those who are depressed actually receive treatment. This is unfortunate since upwards of 80-90% of those who do seek treatment can feel better within just a few weeks. Many people do not seek treatment for for a variety of reasons. Some believe that is the result of a personal weakness or character flaw. This is simply not true. Like diabetes, heart disease, or any other medical condition, clinical is an illness that should be treated by a mental health professional or physician. Another reason why many people do not seek help for is that they simply do not recognize the signs or symptoms that something may be wrong.
Help is out there no matter the type of depression.  Seek medical help if you or anyone you know shows signs of depression. 

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About the Author: RockinJay gathers information for various websites.