There are several types of depression. However, we will just focus on three major types for now. Major Depression, Dysthymia, and Bipolar disorders.
The following information is based on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV). However, it has been summarized and slightly altered for the purpose of this site.
Major Depression Disorder - is a type of depression characterized by a myriad of physical and mental symptoms (see symptoms below) which may render a person feeling dysphoric (lacking happiness or joy) and in extreme cases suicidal. This interferes with ability to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy pleasurable activities. An episode of major depression may only appear once or several times in a person's life time. To meet diagnosis for a major depressive episode, a person must feel the depressive symptoms for at least two continuous weeks and at least five of the following symptoms:
• For most of everyday, the person feels or appears to others being depressed
• For most of everyday, the person can't enjoy previously enjoyed pleasurable activities
• Appetite is disrupted. Either the person lacks appetite for food or overeats.
• Sleep, nearly every day, is disrupted by beginning, middle or terminal insomnia
• Motor activity is disrupted almost daily where the person feels retarded or agitation.
• Fatigue is felt almost daily with loss of energy.
• Self-Worth. The person feels worthless or guilty nearly every day.
• Concentration is impaired and memory is disrupted nearly every day.
• Death and dying. The person thinks about death regularly and entertains the idea of death or suicide nearly on a daily basis.
• There are additional symptoms such as tearfulness, loneliness, withdrawal, isolation which may appear with some but not with others.
A major depressive episode may appear, in some cases, with psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms may include Hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or taste), Delusions (unrealistic thoughts or grandiose), Paranoia (the fear that others are after you or conspiring against you.) The psychotic episode will only appear during the depressive episode.
Dysthymic Disorder – (dys = none or no, thymia=to feel or feelings) is a type of depression where the person feels depressed for most days than not for a period of two years (one year with children) and not more than two months where the person can feel some pleasure. The symptoms are similar to a major depressive episode (see symptoms under Major Depressive Disorder) but a bit milder and may have at least two or more of these symptoms.
The person may still experience a major depressive episode while dysthymic. Additionally, the person may still be able to work or function but with a sad or depressed affect.
Bipolar Disorder – comes into two forms: Bipolar I and Bipolar II
Bipolar (Also known as Manic-Depression) is characterized with cyclic episodes of severe highs (Mania) and lows (Depression). Sometimes these episodes are dramatic and rapid and sometimes gradual. When in the depressed cycle the person can appear to have any or all of the symptoms of a major depressive episode. When in the manic episode, the person maybe overactive, lacking any need for sleep, racing thoughts and speech, lots of energy, feelings of grandiosity, overactive sexually and may engage in excessive and needless shopping sprees.
Of all the mood disorders bipolar disorder is most clearly identified with a genetic predisposition and runs in families. Onset is most likely around teenage years, however, it could have an early onset in childhood, or late onset in adulthood.
Psychotic features may also appear with bipolar disorder only when the individual is in the extreme cycles of depression or mania. If the psychosis appears outside of the two cycles it may be diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder as one possibility.
The following information is based on the Diagnostic Statistical Manual-IV (DSM-IV). However, it has been summarized and slightly altered for the purpose of this site.
Major Depression Disorder - is a type of depression characterized by a myriad of physical and mental symptoms (see symptoms below) which may render a person feeling dysphoric (lacking happiness or joy) and in extreme cases suicidal. This interferes with ability to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy pleasurable activities. An episode of major depression may only appear once or several times in a person's life time. To meet diagnosis for a major depressive episode, a person must feel the depressive symptoms for at least two continuous weeks and at least five of the following symptoms:
• For most of everyday, the person feels or appears to others being depressed
• For most of everyday, the person can't enjoy previously enjoyed pleasurable activities
• Appetite is disrupted. Either the person lacks appetite for food or overeats.
• Sleep, nearly every day, is disrupted by beginning, middle or terminal insomnia
• Motor activity is disrupted almost daily where the person feels retarded or agitation.
• Fatigue is felt almost daily with loss of energy.
• Self-Worth. The person feels worthless or guilty nearly every day.
• Concentration is impaired and memory is disrupted nearly every day.
• Death and dying. The person thinks about death regularly and entertains the idea of death or suicide nearly on a daily basis.
• There are additional symptoms such as tearfulness, loneliness, withdrawal, isolation which may appear with some but not with others.
A major depressive episode may appear, in some cases, with psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms may include Hallucinations (visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, or taste), Delusions (unrealistic thoughts or grandiose), Paranoia (the fear that others are after you or conspiring against you.) The psychotic episode will only appear during the depressive episode.
Dysthymic Disorder – (dys = none or no, thymia=to feel or feelings) is a type of depression where the person feels depressed for most days than not for a period of two years (one year with children) and not more than two months where the person can feel some pleasure. The symptoms are similar to a major depressive episode (see symptoms under Major Depressive Disorder) but a bit milder and may have at least two or more of these symptoms.
The person may still experience a major depressive episode while dysthymic. Additionally, the person may still be able to work or function but with a sad or depressed affect.
Bipolar Disorder – comes into two forms: Bipolar I and Bipolar II
Bipolar (Also known as Manic-Depression) is characterized with cyclic episodes of severe highs (Mania) and lows (Depression). Sometimes these episodes are dramatic and rapid and sometimes gradual. When in the depressed cycle the person can appear to have any or all of the symptoms of a major depressive episode. When in the manic episode, the person maybe overactive, lacking any need for sleep, racing thoughts and speech, lots of energy, feelings of grandiosity, overactive sexually and may engage in excessive and needless shopping sprees.
Of all the mood disorders bipolar disorder is most clearly identified with a genetic predisposition and runs in families. Onset is most likely around teenage years, however, it could have an early onset in childhood, or late onset in adulthood.
Psychotic features may also appear with bipolar disorder only when the individual is in the extreme cycles of depression or mania. If the psychosis appears outside of the two cycles it may be diagnosed as schizoaffective disorder as one possibility.
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