depression 

Types of Depression

Depression can be diagnosed ranging from mild, moderate and severe depending on your symptoms. A few types of depression are: Psychotic Depression, Antenatal Depression, Postnatal Depression, and Melancholia Depression.

Top Stories

• Major Depressive Disorder

  Major depressive episodes form a common thread among various mood disorders. Individuals grappling with major depressive disorder typically exhibit five or more symptoms persisting for a minimum of two weeks. Some may face recurrent bouts of this disorder, referred to as unipolar depression or clinical depression, characterized by periods of prolonged low or depressed moods. Symptoms of major depressive episodes encompass issues such as poor concentration, disruptions in sleep patterns, fatigue, changes in appetite, and overwhelming guilt. If left untreated, this can severely hinder daily functioning and may even lead to suicide.

  
  

• Postpartum Depression

  Postpartum depression manifests as a condition marked by feelings of sadness, indifference, fatigue, and anxiety experienced by women following childbirth. Statistics indicate that one in every nine women who have given birth is affected by this disorder, and it transcends age, race, and economic backgrounds. Hormonal fluctuations, particularly a significant increase in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy followed by a rapid return to normal levels within the first 24 hours after childbirth, are believed to contribute to postpartum depression. Symptoms of this condition encompass severe mood swings, excessive crying, challenges in bonding with the newborn, social withdrawal, changes in appetite, extreme fatigue, diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities, heightened irritability, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, shame, guilt, or inadequacy.

  Top of Page

Types of Depression

• Psychotic Depression

  “Major depression with psychotic features is a mental disorder in which a person has depression along with loss of touch with reality (psychosis)” (Sutton, 2012). This form of depression arises when a major depressive episode is coupled with psychotic features like hallucinations and delusions. The psychotic symptoms often revolve around depressive themes such as feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and thoughts of death. Individuals experiencing this disorder may develop a conviction that they are responsible for a particular wrongdoing or have committed a crime. Additionally, individuals grappling with this condition may encounter challenges in clear thinking, struggle to distinguish between reality and fantasy, exhibit withdrawal or isolation tendencies, and experience unconventional thoughts or emotions.

• Melancholia Depression

  Melancholic depression is typically a severe mental illness characterized by a profound loss of interest in nearly all activities and notable physical symptoms. While it shares commonalities with general depression symptoms, melancholic depression exhibits greater severity. Individuals experiencing this form of depression often undergo a significant slowdown in their movements, thoughts, and speech. They may also alternate between agitation and restlessness. Additional symptoms include a diminished appetite, limited emotional expression or response, difficulties in concentration and memory, and the emergence of suicidal thoughts. Notably, these symptoms tend to intensify in the morning.