What Types of Depression Are There?

Depression isn't just feeling sad; this is a serious medical condition that can cause physical pain and lead to other health problems if not treated. Many people, however, don't realize that there are multiple types of depression. Each type must be approached differently in order to best help the patient overcome this condition and live a full, normal life. If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with depression, take a moment to learn about the specific type in question.

Major Depression

• According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 5 to 8 percent of all adults in the United States are dealing with major depression at any given time. Feelings of sadness or loss are extremely persistent with major depression, which can also be called clinical depression or unipolar depression. Other symptoms include changes in sleep or energy levels, loss of appetite, difficulty with mental tasks such as concentrating, thoughts of suicide, and physical pain, such as headaches, that doesn't respond to medications.

  Major depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, especially concerning the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. Other illnesses, such as cancer, as well as life events and drug abuse, can trigger major depression, and recent research has discovered that some people may be genetically predisposed to developing major depression. The condition can be treated with drugs that help regulate the brain's chemicals, and up to 90 percent of cases are successfully treated.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mild form of depression when compared to major depression, but the condition is still quite serious. The longer nights during the winter lead to depressive emotions, fatigue, and other symptoms similar to major depression. While these symptoms usually lift as the days become longer, treatment is still important to maintain a high quality of life and prevent thoughts of suicide during the winter. In rare cases, people can experience SAD that comes in the spring or summer months; and some patients have reverse SAD-- instead of feeling depression, they go through periods of mania during the summer.

  No one is sure what causes SAD, but many researchers believe that it occurs seasonally because the body's circadian rhythm (naturally body clock) is upset by the change of the seasons. Melatonin production, which spikes in the winter, and the drop in serotonin levels when you aren't in the sun, can also contribute to SAD. Along with medications and therapy, light therapy can be used to combat SAD. This form of treatment uses a special light that mimics natural sunlight.

Post Partum Depression

• Unique to women, Post Partum Depression (PPD) affects one in eight new mothers. Symptoms for PPD can appear two weeks to many months after giving birth and include feelings similar to major depression, sleeping too much, having trouble making decisions, worrying about the new baby too much, not caring about the new baby at all, being afraid to be alone with the baby, and frequent crying. These symptoms last at least two weeks.

  While the exact cause of PPD is not known, most researchers believe that the chemical changes in the brain are caused by hormone fluctuations after delivery. PPD can be treated though both medications and counseling, and support groups are especially helpful for new mothers.

Dysthymia

• Dysthymia is a type of depression that is very similar to major depression. As with major depression, dysthymia symptoms include prolonged sadness, poor concentration, changes in sleep or appetite, and physical pain. However, with dysthymia, symptoms are typically not as intense, and the patient still experiences happiness at points. For these reasons, the condition is sometimes labeled as "minor depression," but that doesn't mean that it is any less dangerous, as dysthymia can still lead to thoughts of suicide. Symptoms of dysthymia last at least two years.

  Some researchers believe that some people have a depressive personality, as dysthymia doesn't always respond well to treatments. However, with medications and therapy, dysthymia can be treated, just like major depression.

Psychotic Depression

• With psychotic depression, the patient exhibits many of the tell-tale signs of major depression. However, with this condition, four other symptoms are also present--insomnia, anxiety, the inability to move, and hallucinations or delusions. Hallucinations occur when a patient sees or hears things that aren't really there, while a delusion is an irrational thought or fear. Along with medications for major depression, patients with psychotic depression are typically prescribed an anti-psychotic drug and may receive special therapies. Patients with psychotic depression typically have episodes, and when this happens, a hospital stay is usually the only way to keep the patient safe.