Most Common Types Of Depression

Depression is a mood disorder often described by persistent feelings of sadness, down, or anger that interfere with the daily lives of a person. And the profound loss of interest in things that usually bring pleasure. With moderate or severe intensity depression can become a serious health condition causing the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly, be it in personal or professional lives. It negatively affects how you feel, the way you think or act. The depression may vary from person to person and the most common types of depression are:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD):

The term clinical depression generally refers to major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a number of key features.

● Depressed mood

● Fatigue

● Changes in weight

● Difficulty concentrating or focusing, memory problems, and inability to make decision

● Feelings of worthlessness and guilt

● Lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed

● Changes in sleep

● Thoughts of death and suicide, or self-harm

If a majority of these symptoms persist for longer than a two-week period, they will often be diagnosed with Major depressive disorder.

People may also refer to it as:

● major depressive disorder

● chronic depression

● classic depression

● severe depression

● unipolar depression

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD):

Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression that lasts for 2 years or more. It can be mild, moderate, or severe. People also refer to it as Dysthymia or chronic depression. Persistent depression symptoms might not be as severe as a major depressive disorder but they are pervasive and long-lasting. It might not be that intense as major depression but it can still interfere with ones daily lives making things difficult.

PDD symptoms include:

● Feelings of sadness and hopelessness

● Loss of interest and pleasure in things the person enjoyed

● Anger and irritability

● Feelings of guilt

● Social withdrawal

● Low self-esteem

● Difficulty in falling or staying asleep or sleeping too much

● Fatigue and lack of energy

● Changes in appetite and low energy

● Trouble concentrating and memory problems

Treatment for persistent depressive disorder often involves the use of medications and psychotherapy.

Bipolar Disorder:

Bipolar disorder is a type of depression where you feel very happy and then these periods alternate with episodes of depression. It is a mood disorder characterized by an abnormally elevated mood known as mania. These periods can be mild (hypomania) or the server that can be so extreme which can cause marked impairment with a person's life which may require hospitalization, or affect a person’s sense of reality. The majority of people with bipolar disorder have episodes of major depression.

Symptoms include:

● Depressed mood

● Loss of interest in activities

● Fatigue, insomnia, and lethargic

● Unexplained aches, pains, and psychomotor agitation

● Hopelessness and loss of self-esteem

● Irritability and anxiety

● Indecision and disorganization

Signs of a manic phase include:

● Feeling elated, “high,” or euphoric

● High energy, increased self-esteem, and confidence

● Reduced sleep

● Irritability

● Racing thoughts and speech

● Grandiose thinking

● Unusual, risky, and self-destructive behavior

In severe cases or extreme cases, episodes can include hallucinations and delusions.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD):

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Symptoms of PMS can be both physical and psychological, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder symptoms tend to be mostly psychological. And these psychological symptoms are more severe than those associated with PMS. Some people might feel more emotional in the days leading to their period. And some with PMDD might experience a level of sadness or depression that may interfere with their daily activities.

PMDD symptoms may include:

● Cramps and bloating

● Extreme fatigue

● Irritability and anger

● Extreme mood swings

● Breast tenderness

● Headaches

● Joint and muscle pain

● Feeling sad, hopeless, or self-critical

● Severe feelings of stress or anxiety

● Inability to concentrate or focus

● Food cravings or binging

● Sadness and despair

PMDD may relate to hormonal changes. And its symptoms often begin just after ovulation and start to ease up once you get your period. People may often see PMDD as just a bad case of PMS but PMDD can become very severe and can even include thoughts of suicide.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression that’s related to certain seasons. Some people experience seasonal sadness like suddenly it arrives or intensifies around the same time of the year especially when the days begin to shorten and once sunnier and longer days of spring arrive, you feel better.

Symptoms of seasonal depression include:

● Increased need for sleep

● Weight gain

● Social withdrawal

● Daily feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or unworthiness.

As the season continues seasonal depression may get worse and can even lead to suicidal thoughts. But once spring days come, symptoms tend to improve. It may relate to the changes in your bodily rhythms in response to the increase in natural light.

Situational Depression:

Situational disorders, also known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, looks like major depression in many ways. However, situational depression is brought on by some situations or specific events such as:

● The death of a loved one or losing close ones

● A serious illness or some life-threatening event

● Going through issues such as divorce or child custody

● Facing extensive legal troubles

● Being in emotionally or physically abusive relationships

● Being unemployed or facing serious financial difficulties

It is normal to feel sad or anxious but situational depression happens when these feelings are extreme and starts interfering with your daily life.

Situational depression symptoms tend to start within 3 months of the initial event, and symptoms can include:

● Social withdrawal

● Sadness and hopelessness

● Frequent crying and anxiety

● Appetite changes

● Aches and pains

● Difficulty in sleeping

● Lack of energy and fatigue

● Inability to concentrate

Atypical Depression:

Atypical depression is a type of depression that temporarily goes away in response to positive events. Atypical depression is neither rare nor unusual and it also doesn't mean that it is more or less serious as compared to other types. It can be very challenging to have atypical depression as you may not always seem depressed to others but it can also happen during an episode of major depression or with persistent depression.

Some other symptoms of a typical depression are:

● Disordered eating

● Insomnia or sleeping too much than usual

● Increased appetite and weight gain

● Poor body image

● Heaviness in your legs or arms that lasts an hour or more in a day

● Feelings of rejection and sensitivity to criticism

● Various aches and pains

These are some of the most common types of depression. If you are going through any type of depression or is having any symptom contact a psychologist or therapist.

Recommending Psychologists and Therapists are:

1. Life Coach Steffi Prasad - Psychologist & Therapists - Utopia Life Coach in Siliguri, West Bengal, India.

www.steffiprasad.com

2. Khusboo Tomar - Psychologist: Centre for Forensic & Clinical Psychology