Have you ever felt bummed without an obvious cause? Your unexpected blues may be adjustment disorder, also known as atypical depression, according to Psych Central. This form of depression is characterized by hypersomnia, increased appetite, and heightened social sensitivity. In fact, PubMed reported that up to 36 percent of patients who have depression have been diagnosed specifically with adjustment disorder.
Deeper dive on the symptoms of adjustment disorder
Adjustment disorder is recognized in people with a "reactive mood” which basically means that your mood depends on your circumstance whether positive or negative. People with this reactive mood tendency and any two traits below would be diagnosed with adjustment disorder.
Recurring episodes of sensitivity to rejection
Adjustment disorder is not always consistent for some patients. Studies prove that adjustment disorder steadily shows up 29 percent of the time. Most people have fluctuations between various forms of depression rather than having one kind repeatedly over time.
Contributing factors for adjustment disorder
The cause for adjustment disorder is still being explored by the mental health community, however there are several contributing factors to this common form of depression, including:
Adaptation to the nervous system
Higher levels of inflammation
Imbalanced Leptin system
Lack of blood flow to the occipital lobe of the brain
Psychotherapy as treatment for atypical depression
Adjustment disorder can be treated with psychotherapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients are taught to recognize and transmute limiting thoughts into constructive actions.
This recent four-month study compared the results of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Both methods reduced depressive episodes, yet psychotherapy was more effective at inhibiting excessive eating and hypersomnia.