The different types of depression are not something that is regularly discussed by people—after all, they think that depression is just one kind: sad. However, if you go to a doctor to seek treatment for what you might suspect as depression, you will be surprised that there are types of depression. The different types of depression will merit different treatment methods; therefore, it is important for you to ascertain what types of depression you (or even someone important to you) have.
Of the types of depression, the most serious is major depression. People who have these types of depression will often exhibit more severe symptoms compared to those who have milder types. Therapists differentiate the types of depression from the effect they have on the patients’ lives—and needless to say, major depression really has a big impact on how the patient functions on a daily basis. Severe types of depression will often cause individuals to lose interest in the things that they normally do—such as work, hobbies, or interaction with other people.
Dysthymia is one of the less severe types of depression. People who suffer from Dysthymia often go through their days feeling sad and melancholy—they find it very hard to enjoy their lives. The sufferers’ feelings of sadness is relatively mild compare to the emotional symptoms of those suffering from major types of depression, but those who are suffering from Dysthymia will be more likely to progress to major depression.
One of the more complicated types of depression, Bipolar depression is also known as manic depression or bipolar disorder. Bipolar depression is characterized by extreme high and low mood swings. The patient will often feel very happy one moment, and very sad during the next. These mood swings often occur without apparent external causes or reasons. Many experts believe that these rapid changing of moods is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and that these types of depression can be treated—often successfully—with the appropriate medication.
Atypical depression is one of the types of depression with mood swings being the main symptom—the melancholic feelings of depression is interspersed with bursts of happiness, which is usually brought on by positive events in the patient’s life. Postpartum depression, in the other hand, is one of the types of depression that can only be diagnosed in women. Around ten percent of new mothers will experience some of the types of depression after giving birth, which is often related to abrupt changes in the patients’ hormone levels. However, postpartum depression can be severely debilitating for a new mother—especially since she has to attend to the welfare of her child. Women who had suffered from other types of depression before childbirth are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression.
Psychotic depression is one of the types of depression that needs immediate medical treatment. On the other hand, Seasonal Affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs during particular times in the year. To pinpoint the kind of depression you have, visit a psychiatrist for an accurate diagnosis.