The Different Types of Depression

There are different types of depression and different diagnoses depending upon factors such as the intensity or duration of symptoms and their causes. Depression has become common in the past few decades, which may partly be due to a greater understanding and recognition of it as a disorder and illness.But true depression is something which occurs for longer time periods than hours or days and will affect the ability of the sufferer to function properly, typically feeling sustained unhappiness, tiredness, pessimistic, guilt, and possibly turning to substance abuse overeating, under eating, and other self destructive activity including suicide.


Because of the tendency to understand depression as predominantly a condition of sadness many don’t realise that it can take other forms such as elation, or mania, where the sufferer seems overly happy and energetic. This is typical of the Manic Depressive or Bipolar form.
Unipolar and Bipolar depression are often contrasted; Bipolar Depression is often called Manic Depression and is characterised by a fluctuation from a depressed state to a state of Mania or extreme elation. This is often the cause of some confusion since people do not usually relate elated behaviour to depression. Unipolar Depression, on the other hand does not have the periods of seeming elation and is characterised by a consistent low mood and negativity. This is often a state referred to as ‘Major Depression’.


A typical Depression is named since it is probably the more typical or common form of depression experienced by people. It is a subtype of Major Depression and characterised by the usual low moods but a sufferer is also able to experience improved moods based on a positive response to positive experiences although not as extreme as a manic. Major or Unipolar Depression which is consistent in its negative state.


A Dysthymic Disorder is a form of depression similar to Unipolar but not as extreme; it is a condition which continues for a period of two years or longer and is characterised by a general sense of dissatisfaction and unhappiness which may appear to be merely a characteristic of the person rather than a condition which can be treated. Sufferers may continue with Dysthymia all their lives without ever being diagnosed. Finally, at the greatest extreme, there is Psychotic Depression which is characterised by hallucinations and imagined voices, sounds, visions and other unreal occurrences and are generally of an unpleasant nature and effect.
Within these broad areas there are many variations but there are, overall, the main types of depression

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