Health

10 Most Common Types of Depression You Need to Know

November 22, 2021

What is depression?

Before discussing the different types of depression, we must know what depression is and the cause and reasons. We all had times when we had feelings of sadness and lost interest in daily life. But depression is different, characterized by persistent sadness that may last for four weeks. In medical terms, depression has defined as a mood disorder. It involves persistent sadness and differs from the mood fluctuations that people regularly experience as a part of life. You may have depression for several weeks, months, or years.

Symptoms

The depression comes in episodes with symptoms that last for at least 2-weeks. The common symptoms are:

A depressed mood.
Changes in appetite.
Unintentional weight loss or gain.
Reduced sex drive.
Slowed movement and speech.
Fatigue.
Sleeping too much or too little.
Agitation, restlessness, and pacing up and down.
Difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Not taking interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed.
An attempt at suicide or thoughts of death or suicide.

Causes

The doctors still do not know the exact cause of depression. But there are many possible causes, and several factors combine to trigger symptoms. These include:

Genetic features.
Environmental factors.
Psychological and social aspects.
Changes in the brain's neurotransmitter levels.
Additional conditions, such as bipolar disorder.

Treatment

Depression is treatable, and symptoms are managed in the following ways.

Support includes the possible way to educate the family and know the cause.

Psychotherapy: Also known as talking therapy, some options include one-to-one counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Drug treatment: A doctor may prescribe anti-depressants to treat moderate to severe depression. Several classes of anti-depressants are available for the treatment:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
Tricyclic anti-depressants.
Atypical anti-depressants.
Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Natural treatments

Natural treatment is an effective way to treat different types of depression combined with medication and therapy. Natural treatments comprise changes in lifestyle and diet. They include:

Regular exercise.
Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Get more sleep.
Set goals.
Engage in fun activities.
Challenge the negative thoughts.
Have some hobbies.

Supplements

A person may take these herbs as supplements to treat symptoms of mild-to-moderate depression.

Ginseng: A traditional medicine that improves mental clarity and reduces stress.

Lavender: It is used to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia.

Chamomile: It contains flavonoids that may have an anti-depressant effect.

John's wort: This is not suitable for people who have or may have bipolar disorder.

The nonherbal supplements that may help treat depression include:

S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe): This is a synthetic form of a natural chemical in the body.
5-hydroxytryptophan: This may help boost serotonin, the neurotransmitter in the brain that affects a person's mood.

But before using any supplements, you must concern your doctor first.

Types Of Depression

Depression is used as an umbrella term for a variety of disorders. There are many types of depression. Certain life events or situations cause some and others by chemical changes in the brain. Although these types share some common symptoms, they also have some key differences. The most common types of depression are:

Major depression.
Dysthmiya or Persistent depressive disorder.
Bipolar depression or Manic depression.
Postpartum depression or Perinatal depression.
Seasonal affective disorder(SAD).
Psychotic depression.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder(PMDD).
Atypical depression.
Situational depression.
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder(DMDD).

Learning about the types of depression might help in the treatment and diagnosis.

1- Major Depression

Major depression may also be known as:

Classic depression.
Chronic depression.
Severe depression.
Major depressive disorder.
Unipolar depression.

Major depression is marked by persistent sadness or lack of interest in daily life. The individual may experience this type of depression if having five or more of the following symptoms on most days for 2-weeks or more.

Symptoms

People with major depression may experience symptoms most of the day and every day for two weeks or more.

Feeling restless or agitated.
Irritability.
Lashing out at loved ones.
Withdrawing from loved ones.
Lack interest or not taking pleasure in your activities.
Increase in sleeping.
Exhaustion and lethargy.
Inability to focus.
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
Negative thoughts and failure to see positive solutions.
Morbid or suicidal thoughts.
Weight loss or gain.

Treatment

Major depression is treatable in several ways, including:

Psychotherapy.
Anti-depressant medications.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Natural treatments.

The treatment may vary for each individual and depend on the symptoms. But the best treatment for major depressive disorder is thought to be a combination of medication and therapy. The doctors can prescribe anti-depressants and psychotherapy with lifestyle changes.

2- Dysthymia or Persistent Depressive Disorder

It, also known as persistent depressive disorder, is a long-term form of depression that lasts for years. Individuals with this type of depression often isolate themselves from social events. Dysthymia is a chronic mental illness that can affect an individual's daily life, work, and relationships. The person suffering from it may act as gloomy, pessimistic, or a complainer. They find it difficult to be happy, even on typically joyous occasions. The symptoms of dysthymia may show from time to time, but the intensity of the symptoms can change.

Symptoms

The symptoms of dysthymia may last for more than two months at a time. The person shows the following signs:

Appetite changes (overeating or not eating enough.
Lack of energy or fatigue.
Deep sadness or hopelessness.
Low self-esteem.
Concentration and memory problems.
Sleeping too much or too little.
Trouble concentrating or making decisions.
Trouble functioning at school or work.
Not taking an interest in things you once enjoyed.
Social withdrawal.
You cannot feel joy or happiness, even on happy occasions.

In some people, it may occur after episodes of major depression or they have a persistent depressive disorder. It is called double depression.

Treatment

Dysthymia might be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination. Anti-depressants such as tricyclics and MAOIs are effective. Also, SSRIs are the most commonly used for dysthymia medications because they are relatively safe and have a milder side-effect profile.

3- Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression

It is also known as manic depression, a chronic mental health condition. Manic depression involves:

Periods of mania or hypomania
The extreme fluctuations in mood.
Significant changes in energy, thinking, behavior, and sleep.

The mood changes from extremes of high energy to low depressive periods may lead to suicidal thoughts. Extreme mood swings more frequently occur every week or maybe just twice a year.

Symptoms

The manic phase shows signs include:

High energy.
Irritability.
Reduced sleep.
Increased self-esteem and confidence.
Racing thoughts and speech.
Grandiose thinking.
Unusual and self-destructive behavior.
Feeling high or euphoric.

The manic episode occurs before or is followed by a depressive episode. The person may experience the same symptoms in depressive episodes as in major depression, including:

Fatigue.
Lack of energy.
Feelings of sadness or emptiness.
Sleep problems.
Trouble concentrating.
Decreased activity.
Suicidal thoughts.

In chronic cases, episodes can include hallucinations and delusions. Also, a person can have mixed episodes with symptoms of both mania and depression.

Treatment

Mood stabilizers such as lithium can control the mood swings that come with bipolar disorder. Also, anti-depressants and atypical antipsychotics are prescribed.

4- Postpartum Depression or Prenatal Depression

The depression right after childbirth is also known as the baby blues, marked by sad feelings and crying bouts. It is common and tends to decrease within a week or two. Dramatic hormonal changes after childbirth can cause depression. About one in seven women will experience something more extreme than the typical baby blues. However, women who may suffer from sadness, anxiety, or worry for several weeks or more after baby birth may have postpartum depression (PPD).

Symptoms

Women with postpartum depression may show the following signs and symptoms:

Sadness.
Anxiety.
Anger or rage.
Exhaustion.
Lack of interest in activities (including sex).
Significant changes in eating and sleeping habits.
Feeling tired most of the day.
Trouble caring for the new baby or yourself.
Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby.
Extreme worrying about the baby's health and safety.

Treatment

Anti-depressant drugs can help to treat major depression that is unrelated to childbirth.

5- Seasonal Affective Depression(SAD)

As the name defines, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression associated with the change of season. The individual who suffers from SAD has symptoms that start and end at the same time each year. Many people have symptoms, beginning in the fall and continuing into the winter. Typically this type of depression occurs in winter due to the lack of natural sunlight. SAD usually starts in early winter and lifts in the spring.

Symptoms

They experience symptoms of depression, such as:

Hopelessness.
Fatigue.
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities.
Social withdrawal.
Increased need for sleep.
Weight gain.
Daily feelings of sadness.

Those who experience SAD in the winter have also noted the following unique symptoms:

Heaviness in arms and legs.
Frequent oversleeping.
Cravings for carbohydrates/weight gain.
Relationship problems.

Seasonal depression starts mild and progresses severely as the season goes on and can lead to suicidal thoughts. When spring rolls around, symptoms tend to improve. The changes occur in the body in response to the increase in natural light.

Treatment

Treatment plans for seasonal affective disorder (SAD) may include medication, psychotherapy, light therapy, or a combination of these options to manage depression symptoms.

6- Psychotic Depression

Psychotic depression is a sub-type of major depression. It involves hallucinations and delusions.

Delusion is a mental state characterized by disorganized thinking or behavior and false beliefs.
Hallucinations are seeing and hearing unreal sights or sounds.

People with psychosis may hear voices they think are possessed by the devil. They may have strange and illogical ideas. People with psychotic depression feel ashamed of their thoughts and try to hide them, which makes it very difficult to diagnose. Also, one episode of psychotic depression increases the chance of bipolar disorder with recurring episodes of psychotic depression, mania, and even suicide.

Symptoms

People with psychotic depression have the symptoms such as:

Agitation.
Anxiety.
Constipation.
Hypochondria.
Insomnia.
Intellectual impairment.
Physical immobility.
Delusions or hallucinations.

Treatment

The treatment includes different medications used to stabilize the person's mood. Typically combinations of anti-depressants and antipsychotics are used.

7- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder(PDD)

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, is a cyclic, hormone-based mood disorder. It is a severe form of PMS. While PMS has physical and psychological symptoms, PMDD only has psychological symptoms. PMDD characterize by core symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety, and behavioral and physical changes. The woman who suffers from PMDD has experienced symptoms during most of the menstrual cycles of the past year.

Some people take PMDD lightly as PMS, but PMDD symptoms progress and become very severe. It affects daily life and work and even leads to suicidal thoughts.

Symptoms

The PMDD may show signs including:

Sadness and despair
Extreme mood swings.
Irritability and anger.
Panic attacks or anxiety.
Cramps.
Bloating.
Breast tenderness.
Headaches.
Joint and muscle pain.
Food cravings or binge eating.
Lack of energy.
Trouble focusing.
Sleep problems.

The PMDD symptoms reoccur each month before and during menstruation. Symptoms usually begin 7-10 days before menstruation and decrease in intensity within a few days of the period beginning. Symptoms are disappeared until the next premenstrual phase.

Treatment

PMDD symptoms refer to mood and anxiety and are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

8- Atypical Depression

Atypical depression is a severe mental condition marked by a temporary depression period that disappears in response to positive events. Regarding its name, atypical depression is not unusual or rare. It is a subtype of major depression associated with an increased risk of suicide and anxiety disorders.

But it is different from major depression. Atypical depression follows a specific pattern of depression symptoms, including oversleeping, overeating, irritability, heaviness in the arms and legs, sensitivity to rejection, and relationship problems. The improvement in the mood of the depressed individual in response to positive events is one of the specific features of atypical depression.

Symptoms

Atypical depression may show signs such as:

Increased appetite and weight gain.
Disordered eating.
Poor body image
Sleeping much more than usual.
Insomnia
Heaviness in your arms or legs lasts an hour or more a day.
Feelings of rejection and sensitivity to criticism.
Various aches and pains.

Treatment

Atypical depression can cure effectively with treatment comprised of both medications and psychotherapy. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), SSRIs, and tricyclic anti-depressants are the most common medications to treat atypical depression.

9- Situiational Depression

It, also known as reactive depression or adjustment disorder, is a short-term, stress-related depression. This type of depression develops in response to a traumatic event or a series of changes to their everyday life. It triggers after a person experiences events and life changes that include:

The death of a loved one.
Going through divorce or child custody issues.
A chronic illness or other life-threatening events.
Being unemployed or facing poor financial conditions.
Being in emotionally or physically abusive relationships.
Facing extensive legal troubles.

Feeling sad and anxious is usual while experiencing these events. However, situational depression happens when these feelings start to feel out of proportion with the triggering event and interfere with your daily life.

It is about three times more occur than major depression, and medications are rarely needed. It is because it tends to fade away over time once the event has ended. But it does not mean it is not ignored and should treat.

Symptoms

Situational depression symptoms tend to start within 3-months of the initial event, and symptoms can include:

Frequent crying.
Sadness and hopelessness.
Anxiety.
Appetite changes.
Difficulty sleeping.
Aches and pains.
Lack of energy and fatigue.
Inability to concentrate.
Social withdrawal.

Treatment

Psychotherapy can often help you get through a period of depression related to a stressful situation.

10- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

DMDD is a recent diagnosis, appearing for the first time in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) in 2013. Children diagnosed with DMDD struggle to regulate their moods and emotions age-appropriately. In DMDD, children or adolescents experience irritability, anger, and intense temper outbursts. The symptoms of DMDD may go beyond a bad mood.

Symptoms

DMDD symptoms are severe and usually show up before age 10.

Severe temper outbursts (verbal or behavioral) three or more times per week.
Angry mood most of the day or chronically irritable.
Outbursts and tantrums have been ongoing for at least 12 months.
Trouble functioning due to irritability in more than one place (home, school, and peers).