Hey, welcome to my blog post. In this post, I am going to discuss TYPES OF DEPRESSION & THEIR SYMPTOMS.
TYPES OF DEPRESSION
Everyone feels sad and down from time to time. But if the sadness is prolonged and is distressing to the individual it becomes concerning. In simple words, this persistent mood primarily feeling sad is called depression. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. This disorder affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to various physical and emotional problems. There are different types of depression categorized on the basis of their prominent symptoms and their duration.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) This is the most known type of depression. Generally known as clinical depression, major depressive disorder is a type of depression characterized by symptoms present for at least two weeks such as:
Persistent low mood Lack of interest in pleasurable activities Changes in weight Changes in sleep Fatigue Feelings of worthlessness and guilt Difficulty concentrating Thought about death and suicide
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) Formerly known as Dysthymia, persistent depressive disorder refers to the type of depression in which the symptoms present for at least two years. It can be mild, moderate, or severe.
A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have periods of less severe symptoms but symptoms must last for two years to be considered a pervasive depressive disorder.
PDD symptoms include:
Feelings of sadness Loss of interest and pleasure Anger and irritability Feelings of guilt Low self-esteem Difficulty falling or staying asleep Sleeping excessively Feelings of hopelessness Fatigue and lack of energy Changes in appetite Difficulty in concentration
Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) Bipolar disorder is a mood characterized by variations in mood in terms of extremely high or elevated mood and extremely low or depressive mood. The periods of elevated mood are called mania and they can be mild (hypomania) or they can be extreme causing substantial distress and impairment in the individual’s functioning.
The symptoms of depressive episodes are similar to the ones experienced in major depressive disorder. The symptoms of mania are outlined below:
Extremely elevated mood Increased activity, energy or agitation Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria) Decreased need for sleep Unusual talkativeness Racing thoughts Distractibility Poor decision-making — for example, going on buying sprees, taking sexual risks, etc.
Postpartum Depression (PPD) This type of depression is specific to women as it occurs after pregnancy. Pregnancy can bring about significant hormonal shifts that can often affect a woman’s moods. Women with postpartum depression experience full-blown major depression during pregnancy or after delivery. The feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, and exhaustion that the woman experiences during PPD make it difficult for new mothers to undertake daily activities for themselves and/or for their baby. Postpartum depression may last for many months or longer.
Symptoms can include: Low mood, feelings of sadness Severe mood swings Social withdrawal Trouble bonding with the baby Appetite changes Feeling helpless and hopeless Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy Feeling inadequate or worthless Anxiety and panic attacks Thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby Thoughts of suicide
Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that varies according to the season pattern. It is sometimes known as winter depression as the symptoms become more apparent and more severe during winter. The symptoms usually occur during the autumn and winter months when there is less sunlight and usually improve with the arrival of spring.
Symptoms of SAD are: Persistent low mood Loss of interest in pleasurable activities Irritability Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness Feeling lethargic or lacking energy (esp during winters) Sleeping for longer than normal and feeling exhausted after waking up (during winters and insomnia is common during summers) Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates (during winter, and loss of appetite during summer)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It consists of both physical and psychological symptoms but prominently the psychological ones.
These psychological symptoms are more severe than those associated with PMS. For example, some people might feel more emotional in the days leading up to their period. Similarly to perinatal depression, PMDD may relate to hormonal changes. The symptoms often begin just after ovulation and start to ease up once the woman gets her period.
Symptoms of PMDD include: Cramps Bloating Breast tenderness Headaches Joint and muscle pain Sadness and despair Irritability and anger Extreme mood swings Food cravings or binge eating Anxiety Lack of energy Trouble focusing Sleep problems
If these symptoms are persistent and the management of symptoms is difficult, then the individual should seek the help of a mental health professional.
