Are there different kinds of depression?

Question

What are the characteristics of the different types? Which types are harder to cope with and why?

Answer 1

Major depression, sometimes called Clinical Depression is probably one of the most common forms of depression. The sufferer seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities that they once enjoyed and found pleasure doing and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state. There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite and a weight loss. They may have difficulty sleeping, or may sleep too much.

Atypical Depression: Atypical depression is a variation of depression that is slightly different from major depression. The sufferer is sometimes able to experience happiness and moments of elation. Symptoms of atypical depression include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. People who suffer from atypical depression believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise). Episodes of atypical depression can last for months or a sufferer may live with it forever.

Psychotic Depression: Sufferers of psychotic depression begin to hear and see imaginary things, sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist. The sufferer of psychotic depression imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

Dysthymia: Many people just walk around seeming depressed, simply sad, or down in the dumps. They have been this way all of their lives. Dysthymia is a condition that people are not even aware they have, but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives. Medication is beneficial for this type of depression.

Manic Depression: (often known as Bipolar disorder) Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide.

Answer 2

This is really an interesting question. It is one that is currently being debated by professionals in the field of psychiatry and psychology.

"Bad Influence" gives you some idea of several of the general areas that might involve the term "depression", but my take on this is that someday, there will be a definite distinction between various types of feeling-really-bad-and-having-it-completely-mess-up-your-life conditions.

For me, "depression" is what I feel when I lose a ball game or do poorly on a test or fail at something I really want to succeed in. It passes. I don't like the word "depression" or any derivative because people then conclude that "depression is a choice, not a disease".

What shuts a person down is a real medical problem. There may be a number of problems with brain chemistry that can cause it. One theory is that it has a lot to do with rage. Some say "clinical depression is rage turned inward". I definitely think that rage may have something to do with it, but not everyone reacts to rage in the same way. Why is that?

I've done a lot of study into this matter over the last 20 years. The conclusion that I come to is that no one really knows what it is or what causes it. It seems different in every person and each one who has it learns to cope with it in different ways. Medical intervention and maintenance is absolutely necessary for many, while for others, it's episodic. In a few, it happens only once in a life time and never bothers them again.

Bottom line, we have very little idea how the brain works....or doesn't work. And, these conditions of depression are intimately woven into the workings of the brain. We'll probably get a handle on it someday, but the question is, when we do, will we really want to fully control it? Some of the grandest works of art and some of the greatest scientific revelations may have come from minds that don't work like everyone else's. If we fully control the mind, will we miss out on some of our greatest achievements?

Like I said, good question.

Answer 3

There are different types of depression, although the characteristics/symptoms are the same.

There is reactive depression--which is a person os depressed because they are reacting to sorrow as in a death of a friend or loved one or even an illness of a loved one.
There is seasonal depression which usuallyhappens in the fall/winter when the time changes and it gets dark earlier etc

Then there is just plain old depression which even though there is no apparent reason for one to feel depressed they still become depressed anyway.
symptoms of depression include
loss of appetite
weight loss or gain
headaches
insomnia
fatigue
irritability
loss of interest in friends/family/socilizing
body aches
stomach problems
and many other things as well.As far as whuch type is harder to cope with-they are all hard, but i would say seasonal depression would be the least likely to cause long term problems because when the season changes back the depression will subside

Answer 4

Several types of depression exist. Depressed (or irritable) mood or a loss of interest in pleasurable activities is characteristic of all types, and all types have to cause impairment in functioning. There are some differences in symptom presentation, however, and depression treatment approaches may vary somewhat. The different types of depression include the following: * Major depressive disorder * Dysthymic disorder * Seasonal affective disorder * Bipolar depression * Depressive disorder not otherwise specified In major depression, qualifiers can be added to the diagnosis, such as 'atypical', 'melancholic', or 'post-partum onset'. Such qualifiers describe a specific pattern of symptom presentation. For example, increased appetite, rejection sensitivity, and a sensation of heaviness of the limbs characterize an atypical major depressive episode. Melancholic depression is most associated with sleep and appetite loss and psychomotor retardation. It is characterized by a phenomenon known as a diurnal variation of mood - feeling much worse in the morning with some improvement in mood by evening. Major depression and dysthymic disorder are the most common forms of depression. Dysthymic disorder is more chronic with persistent sadness nearly daily for at least 2 years. In seasonal affective disorder, the depression symptoms are the same as in major depression but occur exclusively within one season (usually the winter). Bipolar depression is the depressed phase of a condition called bipolar disorder. In many cases, the symptom presentation of depression does not fit the criteria as described in the DSM-IV-TR. Symptoms, however, may be causing impairment in functioning. The diagnosis of depressive disorder not otherwise specified can be used in those cases. Although the type of depression informs as to prognosis and best treatment modality, in general, all types respond to both medication therapy and talk therapy.

Answer 5

Dysthymia is a long term mild depression which must last for over two years to be classified thus. It consists of persistent and continuous depressed moods but the symptoms are less severe then that of MDD. It usually occurs in adolescences but can continue into later life.
Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) is episodic and the individual's mood cycles between mania and depression. Bipolar II disorder is similar to regular bipolar depression but the mood cycles between episodes of depression and hypomania.
Postpartum depression (post natal depression) occurs within the first few months of child birth in women. It causes intense physical and emotional exhaustion.
Post-traumatic depression (similar to post natal depression) can occur after a traumatic experience such as the loss of a loved one and can lead on to become PTSD.
Finally, the common and famous premenstrual dysphoriais (or PMS – premenstrual stress) refers to the recurrent depressive symptoms which occur before the menstrual cycle.

Answer 6

There's major depression and dysthymic disorder (moderate depression). Both can be hard to cope with: major depression consumes a person's life, but tends to come in shorter intervals compared to moderate depression. Dysthymic disorder is a condition that is less intense (easier to cope with) but lasts longer.

Answer 7

yes there is mild depression which can go away after a couple of weeks, when your stress level goes down..you're able to cope again
there is moderate depression where you are starting to withdrawl from the things you found enjoyable..you eat more or stop eating, you don't have alot of emotions
and Severe Depression...when you're feeling lost, alone, confused, you stop seeing friends and family, withdrawl from everything, can't focus straight....wanting to sleep all the time or can't sleep at all!~

Answer 8

depression is just depression. you are always down and tired. there is only one type. but not there are different diseases that have characteristics of depression...like bipolar disorder.

Answer 9

yeah, like one for every reason. like if u cant tell a person u liek them u r depressed and like u cant have your ice cream lol they r 2 different kinds

Answer 10

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