Types of Depression

Types of Depression – Most Common

There are seven types of depression, eight if you count serotonin syndrome which is usually caused by medication. The two most common types of depression are major depression and chronic depression. Chronic depression is also known by its alias as dysthymia and major depression is also referred to as clinical depression. Major depression follows similar symptoms to that of depression but they are more extreme and can cause a person to not be able to function normally in society, at work, and in general. It is a type of depression that does not occur with medication or drug use and is not caused within two months of a tragedy, such as the death of someone close to them. Major depression may only occur once in a lifetime but more often than not it will occur several times for those who are affected by it and they should seek treatment options. Chronic depression allows the individual to function but they are in a depressed state for more than two years with a loss of interest in just about everything and a feeling of hopelessness or sadness that is a symptom of all depression types.

Types of Depression – Serious Depression Types

Some of the other types of depression include the more life threatening types, though all depression has the potential to be life threatening, there are some types of depression that can cause hospitalization and needs to be treated regularly to prevent harm to themselves or others. Bipolar depression, also previously known as manic depression, can cause severe mood swings that can happen frequently and without warning. There are certain types of bipolar depression disorder that require hospitalization for the majority of their life and it can also lead to psychotic depression where the individual may
have hallucinations and personality disorders, such as believing they are someone famous or they may have severe paranoia and believe that someone is out to get them. Some forms of bipolar depression are treatable and have allowed the affected individuals to lead a normal life, often without relapses but the treatment may take over a year as the right combination of treatments have to be figured out for each individual.

Types of Depression – Milder Common Forms

Some of the more minor types of depression consist of postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder, and atypical depression. Postpartum depression typically occurs after the birth of a child and although most commonly in women it can also occur with men as they struggle with their new responsibilities as a parent and may feel helpless and inadequate and may even have thoughts of harming the child. Seasonal affective disorder is the depression felt from the change of seasons as there is less sunlight throughout the day which can cause serotonin levels to drop. Atypical depression is similar to the classic forms of depression that are quite common but is harder to diagnose as the symptoms may be different from the normal depression symptoms and there is still research being done on the matter. All the different types of depression can be treated and any individuals affected for an extended period of time are encouraged to seek depression treatment.