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Types of Depression




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This article is from the Health Articles series.

Types of Depression

The term depression means different things to different people. Some people say they are depressed if they are feeling down or just having a bad day. Others feel sad and depressed because of negative events that happen in their lives. But the term Clinical Depression refers to specific medical conditions, which are different and more severe than just feeling down or having "the blues."

One of the most important differences between the "blues" and Clinical Depression is the need for treating those suffering from Clinical Depression.

But not all depression is created equally. There is more than one type of Clinical Depression. Even within the different types there are variations. People with Clinical Depression can differ in the number of symptoms they experience, the severity of their symptoms, and how long they last.

What is: Major Depression?

Major Depression is a type of clinical depression that interferes with normal, everyday life. If you are suffering from a major depressive episode you will experience a low, depressed mood and/or a loss of interest or pleasure in life. You will likely experience a number of other symptoms as well. These may include sleep disturbances, fatigue, agitation, appetite and weight changes, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide.

These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or many times throughout your lifetime. Major depression usually responds well to treatment types, which may include medication, psychotherapy, and in some severe cases electric stimulation therapy.

What is: Dysthymia?

You may be diagnosed with Dysthymia if you have been experiencing long-term or persistent depressive symptoms, but the symptoms are less severe than in Major Depression. While Dysthymia is not as severe as Major Depression, it still interferes with your life, preventing you from functioning at full capacity or from feeling good. You may have trouble sleeping or concentrating, feel hopeless and fatigued or have low energy. Sometimes people with dysthymia will have Major Depressive Episodes.

Dysthymia is a chronic, long-term illness, but responds well to treatment types. Medication or therapy may be used to treat Dysthymia or a combination of the two treatments may be effective.

What is: Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar disorder, which used to be called Manic Depression, is not as common as the other types of clinical depression, affecting only about one percent of the population.

If you have bipolar disorder you may experience cycles of depression and mania. Some people may switch rapidly and dramatically between mania and depression, but most switches are gradual. Bipolar disorder often begins in the teen years or early 20s and is usually a chronic and recurring condition. If you suffer from Bipolar Disorder, you will likely find it very distressing and quite disruptive to your life.

Although Bipolar Disorder can be disabling, it usually responds very well to treatment. The combination of medications and psychotherapy can help most people with this illness.

I'm Still Not Sure I'm Clinically Depressed

It can be difficult to decide whether or not you are clinically depressed. It can also be difficult to determine what type of clinical depression is causing your suffering. That is just one of the many reasons why it's important for you to seek help from a doctor or other qualified health-care professional when you think you may be depressed. With all the treatments available today, seeking help for clinical depression just makes sense.

 

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