Types of Depression
Depression makes a person feel sad, worthless, guilty and pessimistic. Millions of people all over the globe go through life in an unending maze of sorrow for no apparent reason. Sufferers should be identified and offered treatment for they lose the joy of living and suicide rates are high among depressed people.
People also lose focus and concentration and their patterns of diet and sleep undergo great change. There are different types of depression classified by the intensity and duration of the condition, and specific cause of the symptoms.
Unipolar Depression
The patient is in a persistent state of sorrow or feeling low and never experiences the alternate feeling of happiness.
Major Depression:
The name reveals that this is the major form of depression both in terms of severity and the number of people afflicted by it. Different people portray different symptoms. Previous case history or records of hospitalizations are not necessary for major depression can afflict anyone anytime. Feelings of suicide are not a part of the symptoms of major depression though allowances for individual differences have to be made.
Dysthymic Depression
Depression of a low or moderate level is classified dysthymic depression. It lasts for a minimum of two years and at times people suffer without even being aware of its existence. Patients are a frightened lot who are dispirited and sad and this type of depression is cured by medication though it takes time, for people do not respond to medicines immediately. The fear of dysthymic depression turning to a major depression is ever present.
Unspecified Depression
Doctors categorize patients thus when clear cut symptoms are not exhibited. In other words borderline cases that fall into neither category are treated by doctors as cases of unspecified depression.
Adjustment Disorder
Major stressful events in life or unresolved grief lead to depression. Called adjustment disorder this can affect anyone. Adjustment disorder can lead to a nervous or mental breakdown.
Bipolar Depression
Extreme mood swings; happiness marked by periods of deep depression is called as bipolar or manic depression. Bouts of sorrow with intermittent periods of normalcy are followed by happiness based on non existent imaginary feelings and perceptions. Mood swings might be rapid at times and periods of normalcy might be absent. Rates of suicide are the highest with cases of manic depression.
Atypical Depression
Depression symptoms different from the typical symptoms are termed atypical depression. Usually lack of hunger and subsequent weight loss are indicative symptoms of depression. The other symptom being insomnia is common to depression of all types. Atypical depression is marked by excessive hunger and related weight gain and excessive sleep lasting for more than ten hours a day.
Psychotic Depression
Sufferers imagine and feel non existent negative things and this experience is frightening and painful to say the least. These symptoms mimic schizophrenia and are referred to as hallucinations.
The above given are the broad based categories and do not include subtypes of major disorders.
Depression in any form affects normal living. Every sphere of life is affected right from a change in the eating, sleeping patterns to even relationships and the way you view yourself. It is not just feeling blue but a feeling more intense than that lasting for weeks or months to come. Medication along with talk therapy works wonders.