For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Depression affects how you feel, think, and behave and can interfere with your ability to function and carry on with daily life. There are many different causes of depression, some of which we don’t fully understand. Seven of the more common types of depression include the following.
Depressed mood Lack of interest in activities normally enjoyed Changes in weight Changes in sleep Fatigue Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Difficulty concentrating Thoughts of death and suicide
If a person experiences the majority of these symptoms for longer than a two-week period, they will often be diagnosed with MDD. People might experience brief periods of not feeling depressed, but this relief of symptoms lasts for two months or less. While the symptoms are not as severe as major depressive disorder, they are pervasive and long-lasting. PDD symptoms include:
Feelings of sadnessLoss of interest and pleasureAnger and irritabilityFeelings of guiltLow self-esteemDifficulty falling or staying asleepSleeping too muchFeelings of hopelessnessFatigue and lack of energyChanges in appetiteTrouble concentrating
Treatment for persistent depressive disorder often involves the use of medications and psychotherapy. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1.5% of adults in the United States had persistent depressive disorder in the past year. The disorder affects women (1.9%) more than men (1%), and researchers estimate that around 1.3% of all U.S. adults will have the disorder at some point during their lives. In addition to depressed mood and markedly diminished interest in activities, people with depression often have a range of physical and emotional symptoms which may include:
Fatigue, insomnia, and lethargy Unexplained aches, pains, and psychomotor agitation Hopelessness and loss of self-esteem Irritability and anxiety Indecision and disorganization
Currently classified as depression with peripartum onset, postpartum depression (PPD) is more than that just the “baby blues.” Mood changes, anxiety, irritability, and other symptoms are not uncommon after giving birth and often last up to two weeks. PPD symptoms are more severe and longer-lasting. Such symptoms can include:
Low mood, feelings of sadnessSevere mood swingsSocial withdrawalTrouble bonding with your babyAppetite changesFeeling helpless and hopelessLoss of interest in things you used to enjoyFeeling inadequate or worthlessAnxiety and panic attacksThoughts of hurting yourself or your babyThoughts of suicide
PPD can range from a persistent lethargy and sadness that requires medical treatment all the way up to postpartum psychosis, a condition in which the mood episode is accompanied by confusion, hallucinations, or delusions. If left untreated, the condition can last up to a year. Fortunately, research has found that treatments such as antidepressants, counseling, and hormone therapy can be effective. PMDD symptoms may include:
Extreme fatigue Feeling sad, hopeless, or self-critical Severe feelings of stress or anxiety Mood swings, often with bouts of crying Irritability Inability to concentrate Food cravings or binging
SAD is believed to be triggered by a disturbance in the normal circadian rhythm of the body. Light entering through the eyes influences this rhythm, and any seasonal variation in night/day pattern can cause a disruption leading to depression. Prevalence rates for SAD can be difficult to pinpoint because the condition often goes undiagnosed and unreported. It is more common in areas further from the equator. For example, estimates suggest that SAD impacts 1% of the population of Florida; that number increases to 9% in Alaska. Based on these symptoms, you may be diagnosed with atypical depression (current terminology refers to this as depressive disorder with atypical features), a type of depression that doesn’t follow what was thought to be the “typical” presentation of the disorder. Atypical depression is characterized by a specific set of symptoms related to: Atypical depression is actually more common than the name might imply. Unlike other forms of depression, people with atypical depression may respond better to a type of antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
Excessive eating or weight gainExcessive sleepFatigue, weakness, and feeling “weighed down"Intense sensitivity to rejectionStrongly reactive moods
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