Types of Depression
By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 11/19/2007 at 03:03PM
Major Depression
Major depression, or clinical depression, is the most common type of depression. It’s also considered one of the most serious types of depression based on the quantity and severity of its symptoms. When a person becomes severely depressed for a period longer than two weeks, they are said to have major depression. It’s characterized by extreme sadness, guilt, hopelessness and helplessness. Fatigue, sleep disorders, appetite changes, and loss of interest in daily activities are also common signs of major depression. Major depression can be caused by a childhood trauma, a life-changing event, a chronic illness, certain medications, or chronic stress and anxiety.Dysthymic Depression
Mild depression is often referred to as dysthymic depression. The symptoms are not as severe as those that are often associated with major depression, but they still may require treatment, therapy, and possibly medication. With dysthymia or dysthymic depression, the sufferer may experience infrequent or recurrent episodes of depression.Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme emotional mood swings as well as a variety of other symptoms that distinguish it from other forms of depression. This condition is also referred to as manic depression or manic-depressive illness to describe the two extremes of mood and personality changes which usually accompany it. The sufferer will experience extreme highs in mood and personality characterized by restlessness, insomnia, extreme happiness, exaggerated self-confidence, and hyperactivity. This manic episode would then be followed by extreme lows in personality and mood exhibiting extreme sadness, lethargy, guilt, and loss of interest in life or daily activities. The roller coaster of ups and downs is caused by an imbalance in the sufferer's brain chemistry. In roughly 8% of cases, bipolar disorder can be treated with the appropriate medications.Atypical Depression
Atypical depression occurs most frequently in women. It’s an intermittent depression that may fluctuate in both severity and duration. Common symptoms include oversleeping, low self-esteem, overeating, and a hypersensitivity to rejection.Psychotic Depression
Approximately 15% of individuals who suffer from major depression also experience psychotic depression. This type of depression is characterized by episodes during which the sufferer hears voices in their head; has visions or hallucinations, and experiences delusional thinking. People who suffer from psychotic depression have lost contact with reality and therefore cannot judge the consequences of their actions. These individuals therefore are in need of immediate medical treatment before they become a danger to themselves or others.Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a form of major depression that occurs in new mothers immediately after the birth of a baby. About 10% of new mothers suffer from this condition. It can last anywhere from several days to several months after the birth of the child, if not properly treated. Common symptoms include helplessness, hopelessness, guilt, sadness, lack of confidence in mothering abilities, and a deeply rooted conviction that something is wrong with the baby or that something bad will happen to the baby.Seasonal Affective Disorder
Also known as seasonal depression or simply, SAD, this type of depression is a form of major depression that fluctuates with the seasons. It most often includes a depressive period in the fall and winter months. Because the frequency of this type of depression increases in direct proportion to increases in latitude, mental health experts surmise that seasonal affective disorder is linked to the amount of available sunlight. Common symptoms include extreme irritability, sadness, and fatigue along with over sleeping and over eating. This type of depression is usually cured by the arrival of spring and the lengthening of the daylight hours. However, some sufferers are so affected by seasonal affective disorder that they manage their symptoms with medications or light therapy during the fall and winter.Cyclothymic Disorder
Cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of depression that is similar to bipolar disorder, with less frequency and severity. It’s characterized by alternating mood swings of highs and lows that are not severe or debilitating enough to interfere with daily activities. Often, a person with cyclothymic disorder may later develop bipolar disorder if their condition is left untreated.Postnatal Depression (PND)
This type of depression is similar to postpartum depression, however rather than developing as a result of the hormonal imbalances of childbirth, postnatal depression usually develops as a result of the pressures and responsibilities of new motherhood. The hormonal upheaval of motherhood and lactation combined with physical exhaustion, loss of independence, financial pressures, and a strained marital relationship are all potential causes of postnatal depression.Dr. Edward F. Group III continues to develop, sell and evaluate exclusively high-end natural and organic healthcare products to support a wide range of health conditions. Look for the product “Relaxyn” (a natural alternative to prescription anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds) to be released in 2006. For more information, please visit the Web's best resource on stress, anxiety and depression at www.stress-anxiety-depression.org or www.ghchealth.com.
