We all go through sadness and grief and may not realise when those are a result of depression. Depression is a common mental disorder affecting millions of people worldwide.
Healthline shares the following depression types and symptoms for our better understanding.
Major depression – also known as chronic, classic or major depression disorder. As the name suggests, the symptom of this depression can severe as they can be felt most of the day, every day. Healthline adds that, similar to many mental health conditions, major depression has little to do with what’s happening around you.
You can have a good family and social structure, the kind of life that others envy and still have depression. Even if there’s no obvious reason for your depression, that doesn’t mean it’s not real or that you can simply tough it out.
Major Depressive Disorder symptoms include, constant worry and anxiety, sadness or grief, loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities, thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide, difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much and more.
Persistent depression – also referred to as dysthymia or chronic depression lasts for about 2 years or more. It might not feel as intense as major depression, but it can still strain relationships and make daily tasks difficult.
Though it’s a long-term type of depression, the severity of symptoms can become less intense for months at a time before worsening again. Some people also have episodes of major depression before or while they have persistent depressive disorder. This is called double depression.
Symptoms include changes to sleep patterns or low energy, concentration and memory problems, difficulty functioning at school or work, social withdrawal.
Bipolar disorder or manic depression – bipolar disorder involves periods of mania or hypomania, where you feel very happy. These periods alternate with episodes of depression. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania.
Signs include high energy, reduced sleep, feeling elated, “high,” or euphoric, grandiose thinking and many others.
Seasonal depression – Seasonal depression is depression that’s related to certain seasons. Medical professionals refer to this as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern. Seasonal depression is also said to happen around winter months.
Its signs include, social withdrawal, increased need for sleep, weight gain, daily feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or unworthiness.
Situational depression or adjustment disorder with depressed mood, is similar to major depression. The difference is that situational depression is triggered by major occurrences in one’s life such as the death of a loved one, going through divorce or child custody issues, being unemployed or facing serious financial difficulties.
Its signs include, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, appetite changes and sadness and hopelessness.
Also see: Plants that help with stress and anxiety
