Post by Mel on Dec 24, 2005 14:22:01 GMT -5
The Different Types of Depression
Depression is associated with many types of symptoms and feelings. Often, depression crosses over to many different classifications and causes a multitude of related symptoms. Listed below is a brief overview for each of the major types of depression, as well as links to pertinent information.
Clinical / Major Depression
Clinical depression, or major depression, is another way to describe the medical classification of those who experience depression. "clinical" or "major" is strictly a medical to describe the diagnosis for those individuals who consistently experience symptoms related to depression.
This is a real disorder, but can most definitely be treated. In fact, over 80% of those seeking treatment for clinical depression find relief!
To learn more about the symptoms associated with clinical depression, please visit our depression overview page. For an expanded informational resource that includes details about clinical depression, we highly recommend the depression section of the health center.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a longer term, but less severe form of depression. This is not to say that dysthymia is not serious, as individuals who experience this form of depression tend to report chronic symptoms. Though dysthymia may not be severe enough to disable a person, the symptoms experienced may keep you from running at full speed. Symptoms include:
depressed mood during the course of a day, or for subsequent days (2 - 3)
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
chronic feelings of hopelessness, negativity or pessimism
low energy and self-esteem
physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, lethargy or problems with the digestive system
Dysthymia is not a debilitating disorder. Nonetheless, adults, teens and children with Dysthymia should seek the help of a medical professional or find a treatment plan that can provide relief.
Mood Swings
Mood swings are common occurrences experienced by almost everyone. From time to time, we all feel a little stressed, anxious or depressed. Mood swings should not be confused with Bipolar Disorder (discussed below) which is characterized by extreme fluctuations of mood that persist for weeks or months at a time.
Mood swings can be frustrating to the individual experiencing them, as well as for loved ones and friends who may never which particular mood you are currently in.
Though not exactly like bipolar disorder, mood swings are still characterized by similar symptoms. Up swings usually involve increased energy, euphoric mood, irritability and increased activity. Down swings are probably the hardest symptoms to deal with in regards to mood fluctuations. Those in a down swing may exhibit feelings of depression, social avoidance, inactivity or sleep disturbances.
Thought not as severe as most depressive disorders, mood swings are still a common problem for which treatment should be sought. Some excellent solutions listed on this website can help you to identify what might be causing your mood swings and help you to develop coping strategies that work. More on Mood Swings at The Health Center
Bipolar / Manic Depression
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression is characterized by extreme fluctuations of mood that are commonly referred to as 'mania' (ups) and 'depression' (downs).
The 'ups', or overly high periods, may consist of increased energy, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, racing thoughts or aggressive behavior. A manic episode is usually diagnosed when elevated mood is experienced all day, for a period of one week or more.
The 'downs', or low periods, are very similar to symptoms commonly associated with depression. Individuals experiencing depressive episodes may exhibit symptoms of sadness, anxiety, empty mood, homelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness and loss of pleasure. A depressive episode of bipolar disorder is medically diagnosed when depressive symptoms are experienced for a consistent period of 2 weeks.
Bipolar depression is one of the more severe forms of depressive disorder, but it CAN be treated. Chemical balancing prescription drugs or natural alternatives may provide relief of symptoms, but permanent treatment is achieved through cognitive behavior therapy that helps to identify the underlying causes of depression and develops coping techniques to deal with it. Read more about Bipolar Depression at The Health Center
Cyclothemia
Cyclothemia is a mild form of manic depression (bipolar disorder) that involves bipolar swings from hypomania (a mild for of mania) alternating with mild bouts of depression. Although cyclothemia is not considered to be as severe as bipolar disorder, it may still negatively affect family life, work, social relationships and school.
Treatment for cyclothemia is similar to mood swings and bipolar disorder and involves identifying underlying feelings and developing coping strategies to help deal with the problem. Alternative and prescription medicines may provide some level of relief in most patients.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a common form of depression that is experienced during a particular time of year. Most often, people with SAD experience depressive episode during the Fall and Winter months. Though the exact reasons are not known, some theories suggest that SAD may be caused by the reduction of daylight hours which may disrupt our biological body clocks, which in turn may disturb circadian rhythms within our body.
Symptoms of SAD are similar to depression and include disturbed sleep patterns, difficulty waking up, apathy, sadness and decreased physical activity.
Natural alternatives and prescription medications can provide short term relief of some symptoms, but some sort of cognitive therapy is also recommended.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression usually occurs after pregnancy. Symptoms of this disorder are similar to depression and may be caused by a number of things including:
physical stress of childbirth
changes in hormonal levels
the responsibility of caring for a new baby
Postpartum depression may last for weeks, months or even years. Relief of symptoms is usually obtained through alternatives, prescription medications or cognitive behavior therapies.
Date: 09-15-03
Article: Different Types of Depression
Author: Jake Van Der Borne
Depression is associated with many types of symptoms and feelings. Often, depression crosses over to many different classifications and causes a multitude of related symptoms. Listed below is a brief overview for each of the major types of depression, as well as links to pertinent information.
Clinical / Major Depression
Clinical depression, or major depression, is another way to describe the medical classification of those who experience depression. "clinical" or "major" is strictly a medical to describe the diagnosis for those individuals who consistently experience symptoms related to depression.
This is a real disorder, but can most definitely be treated. In fact, over 80% of those seeking treatment for clinical depression find relief!
To learn more about the symptoms associated with clinical depression, please visit our depression overview page. For an expanded informational resource that includes details about clinical depression, we highly recommend the depression section of the health center.
Dysthymia
Dysthymia is a longer term, but less severe form of depression. This is not to say that dysthymia is not serious, as individuals who experience this form of depression tend to report chronic symptoms. Though dysthymia may not be severe enough to disable a person, the symptoms experienced may keep you from running at full speed. Symptoms include:
depressed mood during the course of a day, or for subsequent days (2 - 3)
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
chronic feelings of hopelessness, negativity or pessimism
low energy and self-esteem
physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, lethargy or problems with the digestive system
Dysthymia is not a debilitating disorder. Nonetheless, adults, teens and children with Dysthymia should seek the help of a medical professional or find a treatment plan that can provide relief.
Mood Swings
Mood swings are common occurrences experienced by almost everyone. From time to time, we all feel a little stressed, anxious or depressed. Mood swings should not be confused with Bipolar Disorder (discussed below) which is characterized by extreme fluctuations of mood that persist for weeks or months at a time.
Mood swings can be frustrating to the individual experiencing them, as well as for loved ones and friends who may never which particular mood you are currently in.
Though not exactly like bipolar disorder, mood swings are still characterized by similar symptoms. Up swings usually involve increased energy, euphoric mood, irritability and increased activity. Down swings are probably the hardest symptoms to deal with in regards to mood fluctuations. Those in a down swing may exhibit feelings of depression, social avoidance, inactivity or sleep disturbances.
Thought not as severe as most depressive disorders, mood swings are still a common problem for which treatment should be sought. Some excellent solutions listed on this website can help you to identify what might be causing your mood swings and help you to develop coping strategies that work. More on Mood Swings at The Health Center
Bipolar / Manic Depression
Bipolar disorder, or manic depression is characterized by extreme fluctuations of mood that are commonly referred to as 'mania' (ups) and 'depression' (downs).
The 'ups', or overly high periods, may consist of increased energy, euphoric mood, extreme irritability, racing thoughts or aggressive behavior. A manic episode is usually diagnosed when elevated mood is experienced all day, for a period of one week or more.
The 'downs', or low periods, are very similar to symptoms commonly associated with depression. Individuals experiencing depressive episodes may exhibit symptoms of sadness, anxiety, empty mood, homelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness and loss of pleasure. A depressive episode of bipolar disorder is medically diagnosed when depressive symptoms are experienced for a consistent period of 2 weeks.
Bipolar depression is one of the more severe forms of depressive disorder, but it CAN be treated. Chemical balancing prescription drugs or natural alternatives may provide relief of symptoms, but permanent treatment is achieved through cognitive behavior therapy that helps to identify the underlying causes of depression and develops coping techniques to deal with it. Read more about Bipolar Depression at The Health Center
Cyclothemia
Cyclothemia is a mild form of manic depression (bipolar disorder) that involves bipolar swings from hypomania (a mild for of mania) alternating with mild bouts of depression. Although cyclothemia is not considered to be as severe as bipolar disorder, it may still negatively affect family life, work, social relationships and school.
Treatment for cyclothemia is similar to mood swings and bipolar disorder and involves identifying underlying feelings and developing coping strategies to help deal with the problem. Alternative and prescription medicines may provide some level of relief in most patients.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a common form of depression that is experienced during a particular time of year. Most often, people with SAD experience depressive episode during the Fall and Winter months. Though the exact reasons are not known, some theories suggest that SAD may be caused by the reduction of daylight hours which may disrupt our biological body clocks, which in turn may disturb circadian rhythms within our body.
Symptoms of SAD are similar to depression and include disturbed sleep patterns, difficulty waking up, apathy, sadness and decreased physical activity.
Natural alternatives and prescription medications can provide short term relief of some symptoms, but some sort of cognitive therapy is also recommended.
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression usually occurs after pregnancy. Symptoms of this disorder are similar to depression and may be caused by a number of things including:
physical stress of childbirth
changes in hormonal levels
the responsibility of caring for a new baby
Postpartum depression may last for weeks, months or even years. Relief of symptoms is usually obtained through alternatives, prescription medications or cognitive behavior therapies.
Date: 09-15-03
Article: Different Types of Depression
Author: Jake Van Der Borne