Atypical Depression
Atypical depression, the name is misleading for this is the most common subtype of depression. Typical and atypical depression has some features dramatically opposite to one another. Atypical depression is marked by weight gain and excessive hunger while in typical depression the person afflicted loses weight along with loss of hunger. Another atypical symptom is hypersomnia while typical depression is marked by insomnia. 70% of the patients of atypical depression are women.
Causes for atypical depression
Atypical depression might be caused due to thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid mal functioning and depression are linked but which was caused first is a matter of doubt. Possibility of reversing the disease by curing thyroid is being researched.
Symptoms of atypical depression
Over eating and subsequent weight gain is one of the symptoms of atypical depression. Hypersomnia that is excessive sleep is another symptom many learn to live with. Excessive sleep during depression, sleep of more than ten hours a day often interferes with the proper functioning of an individual. A heavy feeling in the arms and legs is experienced by some. The typical symptoms are given here, they may occur in varying degrees of intensity. But all the people with atypical depression commonly suffer from feelings of rejection. They are extremely sensitive to rejection, especially romantic rejection. Fear that others may not like them is a common symptom. Happy personal events cheer them up considerably. Mood reactivity indicates that, though the people suffer from a sense of sadness the grief may be increased or decreased due to personal events. Sensitivity to personal slights, criticism and rejection is greatly heightened. The feeling of sadness often lasts for years. Increased appetite is felt by an increasing craving for sweets, chocolates and carbohydrates.
Treatment for atypical depression
Atypical depression patients respond well to MAOI in comparison to Tricyclic antidepressants. Patients also respond well to SSRI. Given a choice between SSRI and MAOI many prefer the former due to the extreme side effects associated with MAOI. Provigil is especially beneficial for treating hypersomnia. The right medication starts working within a month. It takes a slightly longer period to find the right dosage. At times a second medicine is used as a booster.
One of the best lines of treatment for atypical depression is cognitive therapy. Cognitive therapy involves replacing the negative thought pattern with positive thinking. Once medicines start working psychotherapy becomes very effective. The patient is able to realize how previous thought patterns had affected personal relationships. Once depression goes away psychotherapy suddenly makes sense.
Risk factors
The biggest problem faced by these people is the perceived insults or slights. Even positive criticism is taken to the heart. This has a great impact on their life. Even enjoying a day out at the movies becomes painful for people are faced with extreme lack of energy. One big risk factor is people often fail to realize they are depressed for that is the way they have felt all through their lives. They automatically start compensating for the excessive eating they do and they study their relationship hard to avoid possible rejection.