There are seven major types of depression that are common in today’s society:
Major Depressive Disorder is a combination of symptoms where a person cannot carry out daily functions like eating, sleeping, studying, and enjoying pleasurable activities. It is estimated that
16.2 million adults in the United States or 6.7 percent of American adults, have had at least one major depressive episode each year.
Persistent depressive disorder is when a person’s major depressive disorder episode becomes a recurring one. This disorder is lower in severity of major depressive disorder but it lasts two years or longer. It consists of ongoing feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low energy, and indecisiveness. This form of depression is more seen in women than men and more than half of the cases that arise should be taken very seriously.
Minor Depression happens when a person is having symptoms for two weeks or longer that do not meet full criteria for major depression. Without treatment, people with minor depression are at high risk for developing major depression.
Psychotic Depression is when a person has severe depression and some form of disturbing false beliefs or delusions.
Postpartum Depression is much more serious than the “baby blues” that many women go through after giving birth. This form of mood disorder happens because of hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn becomes overwhelming. This disorder is caused by hormonal changes that follow childbirth, lack of sleep, and the pressure of taking care of a new baby. These symptoms tend to happen for longer than a couple weeks which increases the severity of the disorder. Additional symptoms that can happen with postpartum depression are withdrawal, lack of appetite, and negative train of thought.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) happens at the start of depression during winter months when there is less sunlight in specific areas of the world. This usually stops during the spring and summer months. This condition happens to about
5 percent of the U.S. population per year. Seasonal depression is usually triggered by the onset of fall and lasts throughout the winter months, which means that it rarely occurs in the summer and spring months. Geography and a person’s distance from the equator makes a huge difference in whether this disorder will affect them or not.
Bipolar Disorder is described as when a person’s mood changes-from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). This disorder affects about
2.8 percent of the U.S. population a year. It can be shown in both men and women equally.
