7 Different Types of Depression

All the various types of depression mostly share symptoms in common like; sadness, low mood & lack of interest in usual activities. However, the symptoms of depression can vary from one person to the next.

Feelings are often negative – feelings often become overwhelming for those dealing with depression.  These feelings of being sad, irritable, unhappy, guilty, indecisive, low self-esteem and lack of confidence can all be caused by depression. Some also experience suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harming.

The physical symptoms – depression can lead to feeling tired all the time, crying for no apparent reason, change of appetite, intestinal or stomach upsets, headaches, muscle pains, feeling sick and weight gain or weight loss.

The depressed person may begin to isolate themselves, experience loss of concentration, not go out any more; they might even withdraw from close friends and family.  Some may begin to self-medicate by relying on alcohol, sedatives or illicit drug use to lift their mood.

7 Different types of Depression

1. Major Depression
Often called clinical depression or major depressive disorder. It encompasses a change in mood causing a sadness & loss of pleasure and interest in usual activities. The symptoms affect a person on most days with sadness and lasting at least two weeks.  The condition is treatable. See your GP for a diagnosis. It is characterised by depressed mood, disturbances in eating and sleeping, decreased energy, and feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem.

2. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Depressive symptoms are like that of major depression however, these symptoms along with a variety of other symptoms of PMDD appear during the luteal phase of a woman’s hormonal cycle. During t hat time the receptors shut down in the brain of a female causing a depletion of happy hormones leading to depression. Symptoms often disappear with the onset of menses.

3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of recurrent major depression affecting some people during seasonal changes.  Sufferers of SAD might have little energy, sleep too much, and crave sugar or starchy type foods.  Symptoms can be mild to severe.

4. Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorders (manic-depressive disorders) are classified as a ‘chronic mental health condition’ characterised by periods of low mood such as depression as well as periods of mania, or extreme mood elevations.  The warning signs are typically that the person’s behaviour is out of their control.

5. Anti-natal & Post-natal Depression
Antenatal depression affects up to 1 in 10 women in Australia, and happens when a woman experiences depression during pregnancy. Postnatal depression affects up to 1 in 7 women which develops around one month and up to one year after giving birth.

6. Psychotic Depression
Although this type of depression is less common than other types of depression, it is associated with delusions, hallucinations and feelings of paranoia. Psychotic depression is severe, and can be treated with an anti-depressant and antipsychotics, combined.

7. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
This disorder has similar symptoms to major depression. Symptoms may be less severe, but last more than two years. The disorder is characterised by a persistent down feeling along with other symptoms of depression.  The condition can be treated with psychotherapy, antidepressants and lifestyle changes.

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred. Dip.Couns. (Christian)

Sources

Web Md – Different types of Depression 
Black Dog Institute –Types of Depression

Where to Get Help

Talk to your doctor and see a mental health professional.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.

Studying at aifc

Have you thought about counselling?   It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God’s love and grace to the hurting out in the community.

For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:

1. Beginning of the year in February.
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