Depression is a common mood disorder that is characterized by symptoms that include a loss of interest in activities formerly enjoyed, increased irritability, irregular sleeping patterns, irregular moods, loss of appetite and even suicidal thoughts. Just as there are multiple types of personality and anxiety disorders, there are also different kinds of depression. We’ll begin with the most serious type of depression; major depression, also known as clinical depression.
Major Depression / Clinical Depression
We all feel low from time to time but only temporarily. But in serious cases, symptoms of depression that include feelings of hopelessness and guilt can last for more than two weeks. Major depression affects nearly 7% of adults in the United States. As many as 25% of adults will experience a bout of major depression at least once in their lifetime. Individuals that suffer from major depression have difficulty sleeping, working, eating, and sometimes even interacting with others. Suicidal thoughts are also common for individuals battling major depression. A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication is often the best remedy for clinical depression.
Postpartum depression is a common type of depression among women that have recently given birth. Symptoms of postpartum depression include increased anxiety, feelings of sadness accompanied by long crying spells, difficulty sleeping, and frequent mood swings. The exact cause of postpartum depression is unknown. However, the most likely culprit is a woman’s loss of the hormones estrogen and progesterone following pregnancy. Weight gain and the increased responsibility of being a mother could also play a role in the onset of postpartum depression.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Season affective disorder is a type of depression that takes place when the seasons change. SAD is characterized by a loss of energy, longer periods of sleep, and increased irritability. SAD is most common during the winter months and has the highest number of cases in Alaska and the fewest number of cases in Florida. The causes of seasonal affective disorder are the lack of sunlight and its impact on the body’s circadian rhythm. There are also exponential drops in serotonin in the brain during this period due to the lack of sunlight.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
The premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a type of depression that only affects women. It is commonly referred to as a more severe type of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The mood swings often associated with premenstrual dysphoric disorder are much more severe, however. Like PMS, PMDD can also cause bloating and weight gain, fatigue, and changes in sleeping patterns in women. However, PMDD is characterized by increased anger and irritability, sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety. The most common cause of premenstrual dysphoric disorder is an underlying mood disorder that is worsened by the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Common remedies for PMDD include the prescription of antidepressants as well as birth control pills.
Many people mistakenly think depression and bipolar disorder are two totally different mood disorders. However, the two conditions overlap. Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by a person’s frequent cycling of moods. A bipolar individual will show symptoms of one of two episodes during any given time; either manic or depressive. A manic episode is one in which the individual has an elevated mood with rapid thoughts, speech, and energy. A depressive episode is on the opposite end of the spectrum and is characterized by feelings of sadness, a loss of energy, and increased irritability. In rarer cases, an individual could show signs of a mixed state or “mixed mania” which are symptoms of both types of episodes.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any or a combination of these types of depression, give our admissions office a call at 877-845-5235 or fill out our contact form. We currently offer treatment at two residential locations in both Orlando, Florida and Knoxville, Tennessee, and outpatient services in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Pasadena Villa admissions staff will be happy to tell you more about our depression treatment programs as well as answer your questions about the enrollment process. We are an out of network treatment provider and will accept most major insurance plans with the exception of Medicare and Medicaid. Private pay is also an option.