Major depression can cause constant feelings of hopelessness and despair, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Lots of people feel the blues once in a while, but depression can become so intense it interferes with work, sleep, appetite, family life and normal activities. Depression can be the result of grief, personal disputes, emotional abuse, moving, job changes, financial difficulties or personal conflicts. Sometimes, however, no one is sure what triggers the depression. Major depression can be treated with antidepressant medications or psychotherapy, a specialized form of counseling.
Major Depressive Disorder
This disorder is also referred to as major depression or clinical depression. It affects a person most of the day for several weeks. The symptoms may include significant weight loss or gain, a change in appetite, difficulty sleeping, unusual tension, fatigue or lethargy, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty in thinking, or thinking about death or suicide, according to Depression-help-resource.com. Chronic depression is a form of depressive disorder than can last for two years or more. There are sub-types of major depressive disorder that include melancholic depression, exhibited by a loss of pleasure in activities, and catatonic depression, which may include excessive movement or loss of voluntary movement.
Dysthymic Disorder
Also called, dysthymia, this disorder can haunt a person with a constant depressed mood for two or more years. The symptoms may include a decrease or increase in eating, difficulty sleeping, low energy, low self-esteem, difficulty in concentrating or making decisions, or feelings of hopelessness. Although the moods are persistent, the symptoms of dysthymia are less severe than major depressive disorder.
Manic Depression
Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder. There may be an inflated self-esteem or self-importance, a decreased need for sleep or an unusual compulsion to keep talking. The person may also be easily distracted and experience racing thoughts. The disorder may cause an excessive involvement in risky behavior or an increase in certain activities, such as work or social matters. Sometimes the person will need to be hospitalized to prevent harm to the patient or others. The person may even experience hallucinations or delusions.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD causes a change of moods that happens at a certain time of the year, often in the fall or winter months. It can be characterized by episodes of major depression during those times of the year. It may be the result of the change of lighting, such as less light during the winter months. Light therapy has been used to treat this disorder, but the therapy is still being studied.
Postpartum Depression
Women who experience birth may suffer severe depressive moods in the first few months after delivery. The symptoms can be similar to those seen in major depression. It can interfere with the woman's ability to bond with her baby. It can be treated the same way as other types of depression. It differs from so-called "baby blues," which may occur a few days after delivery but end quickly, explains depression.com.
