5 Common Types Of Depression
A Brief Background to Depression.
The feeling of sadness once in a while is natural in human beings, but when it extends to feeling the same all the time then the person may most likely be experiencing clinical depression.
The condition is usually treated by either being put on medication, seeing a therapist and changes to one’s lifestyle.
When one experiences this disorder, the first action to take is to let your doctor know. This is so as to correctly diagnose which depression one is suffering from and by this decides the appropriate treatment that is better suiting.
Types of Depression.
Generally the different types of depression range from minor to extremely severe hence one has to be wary as to the range of conditions and the various symptoms associated with it.
The 5 Common Types of Disorders.
1. Major Depression
Major depression usually constitutes a fairly low mood and particularly people tend to lose interest in the usual activities they used to do. This disorder makes it difficult to have fun with friends and family, eat, sleep and work.
It is normal to feel sad at some point in life, but when it occurs for the better part of the day for at least two weeks, then one might be said to be experiencing major depression.
2. Bipolar Disorder
This disorder previously was known as ‘manic depression’ because one would experience periods of both depression and manic, this together with normal moods between them.
Manic can be seen as an opposite of depression because the person suffers from symptoms like feeling great, lack of concentration on tasks, being fast mouthed, frustration and feeling irritated.
This disorder is closely associated to family history whereby a person who is stressed and conflicts with family members, leads to the person’s episodes being triggered hence it is uncommon for this disorder to be wrongfully diagnosed as alcoholism, drug abuse or depression.
Types of Depression Video Explanation.
3. Dysthymic Disorder
The symptoms of dysthymic disorder are nearly the same as that of major depression but not that serious when compared.
When one experiences this, they may find it hard to feel joyful non happy occasions and sometimes one is seen to be complaining all the time and gloominess.
Generally for one to be diagnosed with this type of disorder, they should have been experiencing it for not less than two years.
4. Melancholia
It’s a form of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) usually presenting melancholic features. It was previously seen as a distinct disorder but as of recently it is no longer recognised separately as a mental illness.
Its symptoms are usually noted physically, especially moving slowly and sometimes loosing pleasure in everything. At times after diagnosis one may be required to undergo talk therapy which serves as treatment too.
5. Cyclothymic Disorder
It is a very rare mood disorder that causes shifting of emotions from time to time. At a particular time one may feel hyper and very active but after some few minutes or so feel low. One thing to note is that during these highs and lows, one may be feeling normal in between the mood swings.
Have ever suffered any strain of depression mentioned herein?
Parting shot.
In summary it can be said that most of the common types of depression have similar symptoms but cannot be said to be the same because each one is distinctive in one way or another making them stand out in their own self. Hence correct diagnosis definitely leads to appropriate treatment.
