The main types of depression include:

 

 

  • Major depression. This type of mood disorder lasts more than two weeks, and may include overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief, loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt. Major depression may result in poor sleep, a change in appetite, severe fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. An increase in the risk of suicide may also be a result of major depression.

 

  • Dysthymia. This is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. Signs and symptoms are not usually disabling, and periods of dysthymia can alternate with short periods of normalcy.

 

  • Adjustable disorders. If a loved one dies, you lose your job, or you receive an unwelcome diagnosis such as cancer, it is normal to feel tense, sad, overwhelmed, and angry. Most people eventually come to terms with the lasting consequences of life stresses, but some don't. This is an adjustment disorder - when your reaction to a stressful event or situation causes signs and symptoms of depression. This can stem from a single event or from a combination of stressors. Adjustment disorders can be acute (lasting less than six months) or chronic (lasting longer).

 

  • Bipolar disorder. Having recurrent episodes of depression and elation (mania) is distinctive for bipolar disorder. This condition is called bipolar, or manic-depressive, because it involves emotions at both extremes (poles). The number of episodes at either extreme may not be equal, as some people may experience several episodes of depression before having another manic phase, or vice versa.

 

  • Seasonal affective disorder. This condition is a pattern of depression related to changes in seasons and a lack of exposure to sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may cause headaches, irritability, and an overall low level of energy. 

 

  

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This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation.

 

sourced in part from: The American Institute of Stress (www.stress.org); National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov); Anxiety Disorders Association of America (www.adaa.org).