There are six common types of major depression and they are listed with symptoms below.
Types of major depression
Major depressive disorder, also referred to as unipolar depression
- Interferes with ability to function
- Affects all areas of life – relationships, work, sleep eating
- Episodes may occur several times in a person’s life
- Slowed movements, speech and thinking, speak less, some stop speaking
- Have recurring thoughts about their own death – range from thinking about it to seriously considering
Manic-depressive disorders, more commonly known as bipolar disorder
- Serious mental illness involving episodes of depression that alternate with mania. Mania is feelings or greatness and elation, sudden energy, and feeling uncontrollable power. Sometimes depression and mania occur simultaneously shifting from one to the other rapidly.
Dysthymic disorder
- Milder form of depression that lasts longer.
- Feeling of melancholy
- Unable to get really excited about life
- Can still function but feel gloomy
Seasonal Affective disorder
- Often brought on in the winter months, though it can occur as a reverse
- Could be a result of disruption of circadian rhythm or lack of Vitamin D
- Full spectrum lights can help
- Less that 2% of people in Florida have SAD, while 10% of people in New Hampshire do
Psychotic depression
- 15% of depressed people experience delusions or hallucinations
- Often need to be hospitalized to prevent themselves from suicide
Postpartum depression
- 4 weeks – year after a woman gives birth
- Most women experience baby blues, postpartum is far more severe
- May involve delusions or hurting themselves or their newborn
- Many women feel a great amount of guilt
- 10% of new mothers
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