There are several types of Depression that plague millions of individuals worldwide. According to NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health), there are around 18.8 Million American adults suffering from depressive disorders.
Classifying the Types of Depression
Most mental health books may have conflicting data as to the exact number of existing depression types. Some may present five major types, others three, and some may have additional types mixed into the whole picture. This irregularity is due to the fact that the different depression types have similarities and differences that are closely linked together. It is hard to establish a fixed classification of the types of depression, unless they can be actually classified into groups according to specified qualitative criteria.
To shed some light on this matter – it is much easier to identify the different types of depression if they are clustered into classes according to their severity, period of illness, characteristic signs and symptoms, predisposing circumstances and basic classifications.
Differentiating the Types of Depression per Class
The following are the different depression types with their brief descriptions as classified according to the aforementioned classes:
According to the Basic Classification
There are two identified basic types of depression recognized since the last decades – unipolar and bipolar depression. In unipolar depression, there is only one mood or “pole” exhibited by the patient – that is, the depressed mood. On the other hand, in bipolar depression, the patient exhibits alternating periods of being depressed and being overly euphoric (episodes of mania). Bipolar Depression is also termed as Manic-Depressive Disorder.
According to Degree of Severity
Depression can be divided according to its severity, or the degree by which its symptoms cause a disruption in one’s normal functioning. These three types of depression are namely: mild, moderate and severe depression.
According to Characteristic Signs and Symptoms
There are various types of depression that can be classified according to the signs and symptoms that they present. Primarily, there is major or clinical depression wherein the signs and symptoms of the depressed person are strikingly evident. Then there’s also the mixed depression wherein its signs and symptoms could not be clearly boxed in a certain type.
The other types of depression under this category are Dysthymic, Anxiety, Atypical, Agitated, Psychotic, Melancholic and Catatonic types of depression.
According to Pre-disposing Circumstances
The following types of depression have developed due to some situational life events and other change of circumstances by which the patient was not able to cope with effectively. For instance, postpartum depression comes after childbirth; Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is precipitated by the change in the season; Situational Depression or Reactive Depression arises when traumatic life events occur.
According to Time
Chronic Depression – this is a subtype of major depression wherein the depressive episodes last for more than two years.
Other Types of Depression
Double Depression and Endogenous Depression are the other types of depression which are difficult to include in any given category.
Indeed, depression comes in different gloomy colors. Each of these classes adopts a different kind of treatment and intervention. Knowing the characteristics of these types of depression is important for every health care professional so that the right steps are taken to safeguard the interest of the patient.