Most people feel sad or unmotivated from time to time, and it is fairly easy to deal with these feelings and get better. But for some, these feelings become unmanageable and affect daily living. Often, a diagnosis of depression is made by a medical professional so that effective treatment can be implemented. It is important to categorize the type of depression so that the best course of action can be put in place.
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder is a common type of depression, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. This disorder impacts the individual in many ways, such as feeling sad, loss of pleasure in usual activities, weight loss or gain, sleep problems, loss of energy and thoughts of death or dying. Though an episode of depression can occur once in a lifetime, more commonly there are recurrences of this condition. Major depression can be disabling, often preventing the person from functioning as he once did.
Dysthymic Disorder
Dysthymia is also a common form of depression. It is less severe than major depression but lasts longer and for at least two years. Its symptoms are much like those of major depression, including changes in appetite, sleep issues, low energy, poor self esteem and feeling hopeless. The difference is that the person is able to function more normally, though she still tends to feel "down" much of the time.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Changes in the seasons can bring about shifts in mood for some people. According to the Mayo Clinic, this can result in depression that materializes at the same time each year. The most common time for the symptoms to start is in the fall and continuing through the winter months. Symptoms that begin in the spring and summer months are less common. The cause for this disorder may be decreased sunlight, which in turn disrupts the levels of melatonin and serotonin in the body.
Depressive Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
"The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition" (DSM-IV) describes another category for depression that includes disorders that meet a few, but not all, of the criteria for major depression. The conditions that fall under this classification include premenstrual dysphoric disorder, minor depressive disorder, recurrent brief depressive disorder, psychotic depression because of schizophrenia, and other instances in which the treating professional feels that a depressive state is present.
Postpartum Depression
Giving birth will sometimes cause depression and fluctuations in mood. Usually these feelings are normal and transient. When normal functioning is impaired, a diagnosis of postpartum depression will be made if the onset of the depressive episode occurs within four weeks postpartum. Symptoms are similar to that of major depression and can also include intense preoccupation with the infants' well-being. Sometimes this preoccupation becomes overly intense and evolves into delusional thoughts about the infant and causing the child harm.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by intense highs and lows. The low episodes are classified as a major depressive episode. According to the DSM-IV, successful suicide occurs most often during the low episodes in about 10 to 15 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder. The highs in bipolar disorder are called manic episodes. An individual with bipolar disorder will have different classifications of his disorder, depending on the severity and frequency of mania and depression.
References
- National Institute of Mental Health: What are the Different Forms of Depression?
- Mayo Clinic: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition"; American Psychiatric Association; 2000
