Depression is a very common condition that affects upwards of 300 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An estimated 800,000 people take their own lives every year because of severe depression. Many factors contribute to the high rates of depression. Acknowledging the prevalence of the condition is the first step in being able to treat it.
How To Know If You or Someone You Love is Depressed?
There are many symptoms associated with depression including the following:
- Persistent sadness and pessimism about life
- Feelings of uselessness and guilt
- Changes in sleep including sleeping more or sleeping less than what is typical
- Sudden loss of interest in life-long hobbies
- Social withdrawal from close friends and family
- Struggling to make basic decisions
- Changes in weight including sudden weight loss or sudden weight gain
Causes of Depression
Depression is a multifactorial condition meaning that there are many different things that may impact whether or not a person experiences depression. This can include biological factors like genetics and brain chemistry along with difficult life events including trauma, loss, perceived failures, painful relationships, high-stress situations, and more.
Different Types of Depression
The term “depression” is often used to describe any of a number of different types of depression. While many people define depression around feelings of sadness and hopelessness, depending on the type of depression and the unique individual reaction to it, there are actually many different characteristics. Follow along for an overview of some of the common types of depression.
1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Most often referred to as “Clinical Depression,” Major Depressive Disorder is the most common form of depression. Around 17.1 million U.S. adults have experienced MDD at least once in their lifetime. The most common symptoms of major depressive disorder are sleeplessness, lack of concentration, loss of interest in anything good happening, feelings of hopelessness, thoughts of suicide, and many more.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
Persistent depressive disorder is a form of depression that lasts for at least two years if not more. Other names for this condition are dysthymia and chronic depressive disorder. Career failures, failed love, or loss of a loved one are some of the most common causes of persistent depressive disorder. The symptoms of PDD include deep sadness for a prolonged period of time, lack of self-respect and self-esteem, memory problems, and appetite fluctuations.
3. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder may be notably different from other types of depression. When a person is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he/she typically has clearly defined mood swings. Along with feeling all of the extremes associated with depression, people with bipolar disorder may also feel abnormally exalted with extreme happiness (called mania) for no apparent reason. This can go to such an extent that even admission to a hospital could be required. Around 2.8% of U.S. adults experience a bipolar episode each year. Medical professionals characterize more than 80% of such cases as “severe” forms of the condition.
4. Psychotic Depression
Along with suffering from major depression, if a person loses his/her sense of reality, then it is referred to as a psychotic depression. Delusions and hallucinations are the most common symptoms a person dealing with psychotic depression experiences.
5. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Sufferers often experience this kind of depression seasonally and more often during the winter months when there are fewer hours of sunlight. Individuals that experience darkness induced depression often benefit from some type of light therapy. Common symptoms of SAD include changes in sleep patterns, sadness, loss of interest in things previously enjoyable, anxiety and loneliness/lack of connection.
6. Perinatal Depression
Perinatal depression takes place when a woman is pregnant or within four or five months after delivery. Also known as Postpartum Depression (when the depression takes place after childbirth), this disorder causes severe mood changes and anxiety attacks. One of the unique symptoms of this kind of grief is anger. While in most cases of other depressive disorders, lack of sleep and sadness are the primary symptoms. An estimated 10 to 20% of pregnant women experience perinatal depressive disorder every year.
Diagnosing Different Types of Depression
Based on physical exams, lab tests, and a psychiatric evaluation, doctors are trained to diagnose and treat different types of depression. The first step, however, is being open about it and talking to a trained psychiatrist. Talking about mental health is still a big taboo for many people. The fear of what your friends and family might think can prevent you from actually addressing the fact that you are experiencing depression. If you feel that you need help, seek it. Qualified professionals are available to help you find a way out of the tunnel depression often creates.