Depression is a complex mental health condition affecting millions of people worldwide. While many think of depression as simply feeling sad, it actually comes in different forms, each with unique symptoms, causes, and treatments. Understanding the different types of depression can help you or others affected seek the right support and treatment.
Major Depressive Disorder
Major Depressive Disorder (Clinical Depression) causes you to have persistently low or depressed mood or disinterest in activities you normally enjoy. A persistent depressed mood that lasts two or more weeks is grounds for a diagnosis.
Causes
- A stressful life event — A death of a loved one, trauma, divorce, loss of a job, or any sudden life-altering event can trigger feelings of depression.
- Childhood development — Childhood abuse or trauma can cause clinical depression to develop later in a person’s life.
- Genetics — You’re three times as likely to develop this condition if you have a parent or sibling with depression versus someone without a family history of this condition
- Brain chemistry — An imbalance or lack of serotonin or dopamine in the brain can contribute to depression.
Symptoms
- Loss of interest in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy
- Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or unusually irritable
- An increase or decrease in appetite, which may lead to weight loss or weight gain
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia) or oversleeping (hypersomnia)
- Low energy or fatigue
- Thoughts of worthlessness, excessive guilt, death, or suicide
- Inability to concentrate
- Impaired cognitive function
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects about one in seven women worldwide, regardless of age, race, or economic background. It is characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, indifference, or exhaustion following the birth of a child.
Risk Factors
- Previous depression after or during previous pregnancies
- History of depression or bipolar disorder in yourself or family members
- Poor social support
- Traumatic events happening around the time of the pregnancy or birth
- Feeling unsure about your pregnancy
- Instability in your marriage or relationship
Symptoms
- Fatigue or sluggishness
- Changes in appetite
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Unexplainable crying
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or worthless, or that you are a bad mother
- Lack of interest in the baby, not feeling bonded to the baby, or feeling overly anxious about the baby
- Loss of interest or pleasure in the baby
- Fear of harming the baby or yourself
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is marked by extreme changes in mood, thought, energy, and behavior. It was previously known as manic depression because a person’s mood can alternate between feelings of mania and depression. These mood swings can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. There are two major types of bipolar disorder: bipolar I and bipolar II. Bipolar I is characterized by one or more episodes of mania and bipolar II is characterized by one or more depressive episodes and at least one episode of mania.
It’s important to understand that bipolar disorder is a mental condition and not an indicator of a person’s worth or character.
Risk Factors
- Living with a family member who has a mood disorder or another mental condition
- Having specific genetics
- Experiencing traumatic or stressful life events
- Childhood poverty or abuse
- Excessive drug and alcohol use
Symptoms
Mania
- Heightened mood, optimism, self-confidence, and an inflated sense of self-importance
- Excessive irritability or aggressive behavior
- Decreased need for sleep without experiencing fatigue
- Racing speech or thoughts
- Reckless behavior, impulsiveness, and poor judgment
- In severe cases, delusions or hallucinations
Depression
- Prolonged sadness or unexplained crying
- Significant change in appetite or sleep patterns
- Irritability, anger, worry, pessimism, or indifference
- Unexplained aches or pains
- Thoughts of death or suicide or feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder generally occurs during the changing of the seasons — particularly in the transition between fall and winter. It usually lessens during the spring and summer months. This disorder currently has no known causes, but there are a few theories.
Possible Causes
- Circadian rhythms – Our circadian rhythm or biological clock is responsible for the time we go to sleep and when we wake up. In the winter, we experience less daylight, which could dysregulate these rhythms, causing SAD.
- Serotonin — Seasonal changes could lead to a drop in serotonin, causing SAD symptoms.
- Melatonin — Melatonin within the body may be produced differently in different seasons, which could lead to feelings of depression in the winter.
Symptoms
- Feeling depressed the whole day, every day
- Changes in appetite or craving carbs
- Weight gain
- Decreased energy levels, fatigue, or sleeping more than usual
- Irritability or social withdrawal
- Difficulty concentrating or losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is the most severe out of the types of depression. It combines severe depression with some form of psychosis. It may include experiences such as,
- Trouble thinking or concentrating
- Difficulty understanding what is real or not
- Suspiciousness and paranoia
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Abnormal ideas or feelings
- Delusions and hallucinations: seeing, hearing, or even smelling things that aren’t there
Psychosis does not have a specific cause. It could manifest because of another mental health condition, substance abuse, medication side effects, or sleep deprivation.
You Don’t Have to Suffer Alone
If you have constant feelings of sadness or depression or feel you may have one of the types of depression, you should seek help. Professionals can teach coping mechanisms, prescribe medicine, and/or offer different types of therapy that can improve your quality of life.
It’s important to note that if you are having thoughts of harming yourself or others, you should seek emergency help. You can find resources at any time of the day or night.
