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Depression: Different Types?
by Jim Bruce
Depression can take many forms, meaning there are many different types of depression. Healthcare professionals use a number of different terms when referring to depression and each has a different meaning which give the type and severity of the condition. Seasonal affective disorder, clinical depression, and bipolar depression are the most commonly diagnosed types of depression.
The real confusion comes when someone is diagnosed with depression and the symptoms overlap with another illness. Conditions such as substance abuse or an eating disorder are often confused with depression, which complicates the diagnosis. These other illnesses make any form of depression rather hard to diagnose. The following terms cover some of the very common forms of depression.
The term, "major depression" is used when you are experiencing one of the depressive disorders that are severe enough to require medical or physiological treatment. Avoidance syndromes are a good example. Let's say you are very active in your local theatrical group but have experienced some type of severe emotional trauma centering around your participation. You start to avoiding the group at all costs, even though this is something you love to participate in. It is very likely that you could be experiencing an encounter with major depression.
Another one of the major depression types is "bipolar depression". Bipolar depression is also known as manic depressive illness. Bipolar depression is commonly seen as someone experiencing being overly happy, then suddenly taking an emotional swing and becoming horribly depressed. Many doctors believe that bipolar depression is an imbalance of chemicals in the brain that can often be successfully treated with medications.
One major type of depression, found only in women, is "postpartum depression". This is when a woman sinks deeply into depression after childbirth. Healthcare professionals have found that many women suffering from postpartum depression have already suffered from some other form of depression in the past. Many women that go through childbirth feel badly the first few days afterward, and this is normal. However, for those that are not able to snap out of these depressive feelings, they can experience them for months, if not years, when not properly treated.
Of the common types of depression, is a subtype of depression called "seasonal affective disorder". This form of depression seems to be tied to the amount of sunlight that is available each day and the way people react to the decrease in light. Light therapy, using special lamps is a common treatment for those suffering from seasonal affective disorder. There are also some hormones that may help with this problem.
A very serious form of depression is "psychotic depression". Those people that suffer from psychotic depression often hear voices in their head in addition to having visual delusions, or hallucinations. Individuals that are suffering from this need to seek treatment as soon as possible. They may not know there is a problem and will need the help of friends to get them to professional help. Most sufferers of this condition are not able to think rationally, and therefore are likely to hurt themselves or others. About 15% of individuals suffering from major depression are stricken with Psychotic depression.
People suffering constantly from a mild form of depression are likely to be suffering from dysthymia. People that are suffering from dysthymia may also find themselves suffering a bout of major depression. The more severe the form of depression that results, the more is necessary close medical monitoring and an aggressive treatment.
One of the many types of depression that is commonly suffered by women is that of "atypical depression". This form of depression is commonly experienced through panic attacks, overeating, and sleeping disturbances. Someone with atypical depression fluctuate through feeling depressed for a period of time, then feel better, and then slip back into feeling worse again. Atypical depression is very common suffered by persons in their younger years. If left untreated, this condition will follow them into adulthood.
No matter which of the many types of depression you might be suffering from, knowing the difference between them is important to finding the best way to get the treatment that is right for you. Only then will you will know the best way to battle whichever of the many different types of depression that you might be suffering from.
| Disclaimer: |
The information in this Anxiety section has been taken from a number of sources. It is meant to give you information about certain medicines, but it does not cover all of the possible uses, warnings, side effects, or interactions with other medicines and vitamin or herbal supplements.
This information should not be used as medical advice for individual medical problems. Please talk to your doctor, health professional, and/or your pharmacist for prescription or treatment instructions. |
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