Understanding Depression :Types

First step in managing the depression is know about the type of depression one has. Depressive disorders come in different forms. Knowing what type of depression you have can help you manage your symptoms and get the most effective treatments. There are several different diagnoses for depression, mostly determined by the intensity of the symptoms, the duration of the symptoms, and the specific cause of the symptoms.When a psychiatrist makes a diagnosis of a patient's depressive illness, he or she may use a number of terms--such as bipolar, clinical, endogenous, major, melancholic, seasonal affective or unipolar--to describe it. These labels confuse many people who don't understand that they can overlap.

Three main known types of Depression are :

Major depression:
Major depression, or clinical depression, is characterized by the inability to enjoy life and experience pleasure. The symptoms are constant, ranging from moderate to severe. Left untreated, major depression typically lasts for about six months. Some people experience just a single depressive episode in their lifetime, but more commonly, major depression is a recurring disorder. However, there are many things you can do to support your mood and reduce the risk of recurrence. You do not need to feel suicidal to have a major depression, and you do not need to have a history of hospitalizations either, although both of these factors are present in some people with major depression. There is no official diagnosis of "moderate depression.

At least four (or more) additional symptoms are present:
• significant weight loss / weight gain
• difficulty sleeping or increase in sleeping
• excessive movement or slowing down associated with tension
• fatigue or loss of energy
• feeling worthless or excessive guilt
• difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions
• repeatedly thinking about death or suicide, trying to attempt suicide

Dysthymia depression:
Dysthmia is a type of chronic “low-grade” depression. This is dysthymia - - a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives. Medication is beneficial for this type of depression While the symptoms are not as severe as a major depression, they are more enduring and resistant to treatment. Some people with dysthymia develop a major depression at some time during the course of their depression. Symptoms of depression may surface with other mood disorders. They include seasonal major depression (also known as seasonal affective disorder).

At least four additional symptoms are present:
• decrease or increase in eating
• difficulty sleeping or increase in sleeping
• low energy or fatigue
• low self-esteem
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• feeling hopeless

Manic depression:
Manic-depressives suffer from violent mood swings. Severe depression, "the blues," and normal mood are all points on the mood swing.Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide. A manic episode consists of a persistent elevated or irritable mood that is extreme, which lasts for at least one week.

At least three features are present:
• inflated self-esteem or self-importance
• decreased need for sleep
• more talkative than usual or compelled to keep talking
• experiencing racing thoughts or ideas
• easily distracted

Other types includes:
• Post Partum Depression – Major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby. Depressive symptoms usually begin within four weeks of giving birth and can vary in intensity and duration. ommon 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 (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. This type of depression is usually cured by the arrival of spring and the lengthening of the daylight hours.

•Agitated Depression – Kind of major depressive disorder which is characterized by agitation such as physical and emotional restlessness, irritability and insomnia, which is the opposite of many depressed individuals who have low energy and feel slowed down physically and mentally.

•Cyclothymic disorder-. 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.

•Melancholic Depression: It is a sub-type of Major Depressive Disorder. The main features of this kind of depression include either a loss of pleasure in virtually all activities or mood does not temporarily improve in response to a positive event.

•Disease or drug-related depression:Some diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis, stroke, chronic pain, and hypothyroidism can cause depression.