Types of Depression
There are several different types of depression, which are distinguished by their duration and severity of symptoms. Most of these kinds of depression are defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) put out by the American Psychiatric Association:
Major Depressive Disorder:(also known as Major Depression, Clinical Depression) – A major depressive episode occurs with symptoms that last for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks. A symptom must either be 1) depressed mood or 2) a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Dysthymic Disorder:(or also referred to as Dysthymia) – Generally, this type of depression is described as having persistent but less severe depressive symptoms than Major Depression.
Manic Depression:(now known as Bipolar Disorder) – This kind of depression includes periods of mania and depression. Cycling between these two states can be rapid or only mania can be present without any depressive episodes. A manic episode consists of a persistent elevated or irritable mood that is extreme, which lasts for at least one week.
Post-Partum Depression: Major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby. Depressive symptoms usually begin within four weeks of giving birth and can vary in intensity and duration.
Seasonal Affective Disorder:(SAD) – A type of depressive disorder that is characterized by episodes of major depression, which reoccur at a specific time of the year (e.g. fall, winter). In the past two years, depressive periods occur at least two times without any episodes that occur at a different time.
Also...here are a list of other depression types that are less discussed in health literature:
Anxiety Depression, Atypical Depression, Chronic Depression, Double Depression, Endogenous Depression, Situational Depression or Reactive Depression, Agitated Depression, Psychotic Depression, Melancholic Depression, Catatonic Depression....to read up on any of these additional types of depression, visit "Types of Depression" by Lucille Zimmerman.
What do you think of the various types of depression? Should treatment take mainly the same focus for each type? Why do you think it is important for patients to know what type of depression they suffer from? Does it matter?
Major Depressive Disorder:(also known as Major Depression, Clinical Depression) – A major depressive episode occurs with symptoms that last for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks. A symptom must either be 1) depressed mood or 2) a noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in all or most activities
Dysthymic Disorder:(or also referred to as Dysthymia) – Generally, this type of depression is described as having persistent but less severe depressive symptoms than Major Depression.
Manic Depression:(now known as Bipolar Disorder) – This kind of depression includes periods of mania and depression. Cycling between these two states can be rapid or only mania can be present without any depressive episodes. A manic episode consists of a persistent elevated or irritable mood that is extreme, which lasts for at least one week.
Post-Partum Depression: Major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby. Depressive symptoms usually begin within four weeks of giving birth and can vary in intensity and duration.
Seasonal Affective Disorder:(SAD) – A type of depressive disorder that is characterized by episodes of major depression, which reoccur at a specific time of the year (e.g. fall, winter). In the past two years, depressive periods occur at least two times without any episodes that occur at a different time.
Also...here are a list of other depression types that are less discussed in health literature:
Anxiety Depression, Atypical Depression, Chronic Depression, Double Depression, Endogenous Depression, Situational Depression or Reactive Depression, Agitated Depression, Psychotic Depression, Melancholic Depression, Catatonic Depression....to read up on any of these additional types of depression, visit "Types of Depression" by Lucille Zimmerman.
What do you think of the various types of depression? Should treatment take mainly the same focus for each type? Why do you think it is important for patients to know what type of depression they suffer from? Does it matter?
Tags: anxiety, bipolar, depression
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by John Gale on -
The whole issue of all these different categories and sub-groups is a very interesting one. To some extent I think they are just artificial labels for psychiatrists to pigeonhole people into and one should always be wary of the pharmaceutical industry; if they can think up a new label for a natural emotion and persuade people to take drugs for it that does wonders for their bottom line. Maybe the most important distinction is i) are you depressed because of things that happened or are happening to you? or ii) are you depressed because of something inside you, such as a chemical imbalance? Maybe the two approaches require very different treatments but above all I think it is important to recognise the effect circumstances have on people's lives and treat them as individuals rather than just reaching for DSM IV and a prescription pad,
Best Wishes,
John
© 2009 Created by Marie
