According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression is a condition that causes extreme feelings of sadness, hopelessness and worthlessness for weeks or months at a time. It can interfere with your ability to function normally and destroy your relationships with other people. While treatment is available, the type of depression you suffer from needs to be properly identified.
Major Depression
Psychology Information Online states that major depression, also known as clinical depression, is the most serious type of depression due to the number and severity of symptoms it causes. These symptoms include a significant change in weight, an increase in appetite, loss of energy, problems sleeping or an increase in the amount of time spent sleeping, recurring thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts, and problems thinking, making decisions or concentrating. In most cases, major depression is a recurrent condition, but it is possible for it to occur only once in someone's life.
Dysthymic Disorder
Also referred to as dysthymia, this type of depression differs from major depression in the fact that its symptoms are not disabling. Its symptoms last longer, typically two years, but are less severe than those of major depression. These symptoms include an increase or decrease in eating, a decrease in energy, problems concentrating and making decisions, feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem. Most people with this type of depression may also experience one or more episodes of major depression in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder occurs during the winter months. Depressive episodes take place due to the lack of natural sunlight, and those who suffer from SAD may respond well to light therapy. However, in some cases, light therapy is not effective enough and the use of antidepressants is also required.
Bipolar Depression
Also known as manic depression, this type includes both periods of mania and depression. For some people, only manic episodes occur. For others, a rapid cycling takes place between both mania and depression. The symptoms of bipolar depression include increased self-esteem, excessive talking, racing thoughts, being easily distracted, making poor or unsafe decisions--such as gambling your savings or being promiscuous, and getting very little sleep. These symptoms are usually followed by periods of irritability and extreme depression.
