Types of Depression and Symptoms

Depressive disorders come in many different types, but each type has its own unique symptoms and treatments.We’ve compiled a quick guide to the different kinds of depression and the treatment methods that are most effective for each.

Major depression: the most common type of a depressive disorder, is characterized by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

Mental health professionals use this checklist of specific symptoms to determine whether major depression exists or not. Depression is also rated by your diagnosing physician or mental health professional in terms of its severity — mild, moderate, or severe. Severe depression is the most serious type.

Dysthmia: A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Bipolar disorder: Also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder.

When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): It appears as feelings of sadness or hopelessness most often during the winters when days are short and the sunlight is less. Antidepressants and light therapy can help in the management of SAD. The symptoms of SAD fade away in the spring and summer.

Psychotic Depression: Individuals with psychotic depression tend to have psychotic and major depression symptoms. Being paranoid and having hallucinations and delusions are some of the primary signs of depression.

For the treatment of psychotic depression, a combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs may be used. ECT is an option as well.

Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression: Peripartum depression can be seen in women who have major depression in the weeks and months following childbirth.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Women with PMDD may have mood swings symptom, anxiety, fatigue, trouble concentrating, change in appetite or sleep habits at the start of their period.

‘Situational’ Depression: Although it is not considered a technical term in psychiatry, situational depression can occur in people who have trouble coping with a stressful life event, such as losing a job, going through a divorce, or the death of a loved one. Psychotherapy can help people get through their depression associated with a stressful situation.

Atypical Depression: It is a subtype of major depression or dysthymic disorder that appears in a pattern of depression symptoms rather than persistent sadness in typical depression. The symptoms of atypical depression may include – increased appetite, feeling of heaviness in arms and legs, sleeping more than usual, oversensitivity to criticism.

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