While many people may seem sad from time to time, depression is a serious condition that affects the patient's life. According to the National Institutes of Health, "clinical depression is a mood disorder where the feelings of sadness, loss, anger or frustration interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time." The symptoms of depression range in severity from mild to severe. Some patients may benefit from medication or talk therapy to help with their symptoms.
Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health, clinical depression is more than feeling sad. Symptoms include sleeping problems, like having trouble sleeping or excessively sleeping; a dramatic change in appetite, where the patient either gains or loses weight; fatigue and lack of energy; feelings of worthlessness, self-hate and guilt; thoughts of death and suicide or attempting suicide; agitation, restlessness and irritability; extreme difficulty concentrating; inactivity and withdrawal from activities; and feelings of hopelessness and despair.
Major and Minor Depression
Major depression is a prevalent form of clinical depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, patients with major depression have five or more depressive symptoms for at least two weeks, though symptoms tend to last for at least six months. In addition, if only two to four symptoms are present, it is classified as minor depression. The National Institutes of Health notes that patients with major depression can be downgraded to minor depression if their symptoms improve.
Atypical Depression
According to the National Institutes of Health, one third of depression patients suffer from atypical depression. Atypical depression patients have slightly different symptoms. They are prone to overeating and oversleeping, and feeling weighed down. They react strongly to rejection.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is another form of depression, which is milder than other forms of depression. According to the National Institutes of Health, dysthymia can last as long as two years.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression affects mothers after giving birth. However, while many mothers feel some sort of sadness after birth, the National Institutes of Health points out that full \[blown postpartum depression is rare.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD, affects some women. According to the National Institutes of Health, depressive symptoms begin a week before menstruation begins and subside after menstruation starts.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a type of depression that occurs in the fall and winter. The symptoms are thought to be due to the lack of sunlight, according to the National Institutes of Health.
