Types of Depression

Major Depression

In major depression, patients suffer from many of the symptoms of depression. Significantly, they experience emotional problems as well as the lack of energy. Although most depression sufferers experience mild depression, some symptoms can be severe and require hospitalization. Depression can last from a few weeks to several months.

Chronic Depression

Chronic depression is a recurring major depression. Most people who suffer from depression are eventually able to overcome it and lead normal, productive lives. However, in some cases, and especially where a genetic imbalance exists, major depression can afflict sufferers on a recurring basis. If someone suffers from chronic depression more than once in his/her lifetime, each episode may become more severe and longer lasting. Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from chronic depression.

Bipolar Depression

When depression comes and goes, or cycles fairly regularly, it is classified as bipolar depression. Most bipolar sufferers cycle from feeling normal to feeling depressed. But some people suffer from the more extreme, rapid cycling bipolar disorder. In rapid cycling bipolar, or manic depression, sufferers can become overly euphoric or optimistic. For example, they believe they can do anything. Sometimes manic-depressives’ behavior is irrational, such as abusing credit, not sleeping or attempting to accomplish impossible tasks. The depressive swings for rapid cycling bipolar depression can be as severe as the manic episodes. In most cases, depressive episodes begin in the fall/winter months when darkness lowers brain serotonin levels. Approximately 4 million Americans suffer from bipolar depression.

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is perhaps the most often miss-diagnosed or recognized depressive disorder, because sufferers can usually manage their lives and don’t exhibit many of the emotional symptoms of depression. Dysthymia sufferers complain of general lethargy, a lack of energy. Their appetite may be abnormal; they either have little desire to eat, or they overeat. They constantly feel tired and may complain about stress. This is why dysthymia is sometimes referred to as low-grade or mild depression. Approximately 3-5 million Americans suffer from dysthymia. Because Dysthymia symptoms are often unrecognized, the number of sufferers may be underestimated.

Dysthymia is a chronic, moderate type of depression. People with dysthymia usually suffer from poor appetite or overeating, insomnia or oversleeping, and low energy or fatigue. People with dysthymia are often unaware that they have an illness because their functioning is usually not greatly impaired. They go to work and mange their lives, but are frequently irritable and often complaining about stress.

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