Types of Depression

The reason many people do not seek help for depression is that they simply do not recognize the symptoms. Listed below are eleven more types of depression. Let me know if I’ve missed any and I’ll be glad to include them.

1) Major Depressive Disorder See below

2) Dysthymic Disorder See below

3) Manic Depression See below

4) Mixed States See below

5) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – A type of depressive disorder which is characterized by episodes of major depression which reoccur at a specific time of the year (e.g. fall, winter). In the past two years, depressive periods occur at least two times without any episodes that occur at a different time.

6) Post Partum Depression – Major depressive episode that occurs after having a baby. Depressive symptoms usually begin within four weeks of giving birth and can vary in intensity and duration.

7) Atypical Depression (Sub-type of Major Depression or Dysthymia) - Characterized by a temporary improvement in mood in reaction to positive events and two (or more) of the following:
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Over sleeping
• Heavy feeling in arms or legs
• Long standing pattern of sensitivity to rejection

8) Chronic Depression – Major depressive episode that lasts for at least two years.

9) Double Depression – Someone who has Dysthymia (chronic mild depression) and also experiences a major depressive episode (more severe depressive symptoms lasting at least two weeks).

10) Endogenous Depression – Endogenous means from within the body. This type of depression is defined as feeling depressed for no apparent reason.

11) Situational Depression or Reactive Depression (also known as Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood) – Depressive symptoms developing in response to a specific stressful situation or event (e.g. job loss, relationship ending). These symptoms occur within 3 months of the stressor and lasts no longer than 6 months after the stressor (or its consequences) has ended. Depression symptoms cause significant distress or impairs usual functioning (e.g. relationships, work, school) and do not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder.

12) Agitated Depression – Kind of major depressive disorder which is characterized by agitation such as physical and emotional restlessness, irritability and insomnia, which is the opposite of many depressed individuals who have low energy and feel slowed down physically and mentally.

13) Psychotic Depression – Major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations (e.g. hearing voices), delusions (false beliefs).

14) Melancholic Depression (Sub-type of Major Depressive Disorder) - Main features of this kind of depression include either a loss of pleasure in virtually all activities or mood does not temporarily improve in response to a positive event. Also, three (or more) of the following are present:
• Depressed mood that has a distinct quality (e.g. different from
feeling depressed when grieving)
• Depression is consistently worse in the morning
• Waking up earlier than usual (at least 2 hours)
• Noticeable excessive movement or slowing down
• Significant decrease in appetite or weight loss
• Feeling excessive or inappropriate guilt

15) Catatonic Depression -
(Sub-type of Major Depressive Disorder) – This type of depression is
characterized by at least two of the following:
• Loss of voluntary movement and inability to react to one's environment
• Excessive movement (purposeless and not in response to one's environment)
• Extreme resistance to instructions/suggestions or unable/unwilling to speak
• Odd or inappropriate voluntary movements or postures (e.g.
repetitive movements, bizarre mannerisms or facial expressions)
• Involuntarily repeating someone’s words or movements in a meaningless way

http://www.depression-help-resource.com/types-of-depression.htm
http://www.psychnet-uk.com/dsm_iv/_misc/complete_tables.htm
http://www.psychologyinfo.com/depression/depression_types.html

Symtoms of Depression

1. Agitation
2. Anxiety
3. Fatigue
4. Guilt
5. Impulsiveness
6. Irritability
7. Suicidal ideation
8. Panic
9. Paranoia
10. Pressured speech
11. Rage

Aside from
• Pressured Speech (rapid, loud and difficult-to-interrupt speech)
-- I don’t talk loud or fast (well maybe when Sherry and I are having
a ‘discussion’. During times such as these I find she understands
me better if I just ‘speak a little louder’) lol
• Paranoia
-- For some reason I’ve always just assumed everybody liked me – not
everybody, I guess, but that’s their problem
• Panic
-- Anxious? yes but panic? nah

I look at that list of eight horrible, terrible traits I know that was me. It’s hard to believe that was really me.
What I find puzzling is that most people in the ‘depression blog’ seem to be in pretty good spirits. Is it that blogging is therapeutic or are folks not really able to blog ‘unless’ their depression is under control?
I will continue to explore now that I can kind of (I hope forever) look at depression objectively.

Personal Depression

After over 30 years of doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists I was diagnosed with Mixed States. I was put on Lithium, Equatro, and Thyroid. It took about 3 months but almost miraculously I actually began to feel better. It was as though I were tentatively finding my way out of a long dark tunnel. At first the light was so intense that I really couldn’t bear it. I retreated back into the tunnel where I was ‘comfortable’.
After seeing improvement then retreat, my wife almost threw up her hands, but I guess she figured she had so much invested that she may as well hang in there a little longer.
I’ve been on my new medications for about one and a half years. I’m not completely out of the tunnel though. My doctor still has to tweak my meds by changing dosages and adding things like folic acid and Co Enzyme Q-10.
The biggest problem I face now is how do I overcome the personal quirks that depression has forced on me over the last 30 years?
For example; my temperament is that of an easy-going, fun-loving person, but the rage in my depression has driven my wife away from me. When she would isolate, then, of course, I would too. How do I change this emotionless shell I’ve built around myself? I’m trying to be the man God meant me to be but I just don’t know how to change. Can anybody help me? I just need some advice.

Test For Depression

Here's a real short test that will confirm what you already know. It's linked to the National Institute of Mental Health which has some very good stuff

http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html

Personal Depression

I wander thru the darkened corridors of my mind. Ominous clouds roil above me. Lightening races across a leaden sky, followed by the voice of an angry God.
I place my hand against the wall. It comes away wet and cold.
I press on. Others have told me there is a place of warmth and beauty; a place that is always rich and bright.
Ahead I see a doorway. Hope gives rise to urgency. I hurry forward
and turn the corner only to see a canyon deep and dark. I drop to my knees as my soul cries bitter tears.
I raise my face to heaven and cry, “Why me Lord? Why me?”

Types of Depression

There are several different types of depression. They are distinguished by the length and severity of symptoms. Most of these are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV), an American Psychiatric Association publication which describes psychiatric disorders.


1) Major Depressive Disorder (296.02-.36) (also known as Major Depression, Clinical Depression) – A major depressive episode occurs with symptoms that last for most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks. A symptom must either be
1) Depressed mood or
2) A noticeable decrease in interest or pleasure in most activities.
3) At least four additional symptoms are present:
• decrease or increase in eating
• difficulty sleeping or increase in sleeping
• fatigue or loss of energy
• feeling worthless or excessively guilty
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• repeatedly thinking about death or suicide, trying to attempt suicide or having a specific plan to commit suicide
• excessive movement or slowing down associated with mental tension (observed by others)

2) Dysthymic Disorder (300.40) (or also referred to as Chronic) – Nearly constant depressed mood for at least 2 years accompanied by at least two of the following:
• decrease or increase in eating
• difficulty sleeping or increase in sleeping
• fatigue or loss of energy
• feeling worthless or excessively guilty
• difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• feeling hopeless
Symptoms do not occur for more than two months at a time. Generally, this type has persistent but less severe depressive symptoms than Major Depression.

3) Manic Depression (296.20-36) (now known as Bipolar Disorder) – This kind of depression includes periods of mania and depression. Cycling between these two states can be rapid or only mania can be present. A manic episode consists of a persistent elevated or irritable mood that is extreme, which lasts for at least one week. At least three (four if only irritable mood) other features are also present:
• Inflated self-esteem or self-importance
• Decreased need for sleep
• More talkative than usual or compelled to keep talking
• Experiencing racing thoughts or ideas
• Easily distracted
• Increase in goal-oriented activity (social, work, school, sexual)
• Excessive involvement in potentially risky pleasurable behavior (e.g. over spending, careless sexual activity, unwise business investments)
Symptoms can be severe enough to warrant hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others or may include hallucinations, delusions.

4) Mixed States (296.06-.80) is a condition during which symptoms of mania or hypomania (lower than mania) and symptoms of depression occur simultaneously. During a mixed episode, the person may experience
• Impulsiveness
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Flights of ideas
• Suicidal thoughts
• Guilt
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Changes in appetite
These are common during depressive episodes. Mixed episodes can be incredibly distressing to the individual. It can lead to panic attacks, substance abuse, and suicide.

As mentioned earlier, I suffer from Mixed States. I manifest everyone of the symptoms. When I get a little more courage, I’ll share some of my experiences.

http://www.dr-bob.org/tips/dsm4a.html
http://www.depression-help-resource.com/types-of-depression.htm

Symtoms of Depression

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It's more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. If you are one of the more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings do not go away. They persist and interfere with your everyday life.

To meet criteria for depression, five or more of these symptoms must be present for more than 2 weeks:

• Ongoing sad, anxious or empty feelings
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Feeling irritable or restless
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies that were once
enjoyable, including sex
• Feeling tired all the time
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, or difficulty
making decisions
• Not able to go to sleep or stay asleep (insomnia); may wake in the
middle of the night, or sleep all the time
• Overeating or loss of appetite
• Thoughts of suicide or making suicide attempts
• Ongoing aches and pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that
do not go away.


This website contains a great tutorial that is well worth watching

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/depression/htm/_no_50_no_0.htm




http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read.shtml
http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Depression/definition.asp
http://www.indepression.com/