Are There Different Types Of Depression
If you are given a diagnosis of depression, you might be told that you have mild, moderate or severe depression. This describes what sort of impact your symptoms are having on you currently, and what sort of treatment you’re likely to be offered. You might move between mild, moderate and severe depression during one episode of depression or across different episodes.
There are also some specific types of depression:
- Seasonal affective disorder depression that occurs at a particular time of year, or during a particular season. See our page on SAD for more information.
- Dysthymia continuous mild depression that lasts for two years or more. Also called persistent depressive disorder or chronic depression.
- Prenatal depression depression that occurs during pregnancy. This is sometimes also called antenatal depression.
- Postnatal depression depression that occurs in the first year after giving birth.
See our page on postnatal depression and perinatal mental health for more information. The PANDAS Foundation also has information and support for anyone experiencing prenatal or postnatal depression.
Is premenstrual dysphoric disorder a type of depression?
PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome . Many women experience PMS, but for some women their symptoms are severe enough to seriously impact their daily life. This is when you might receive a diagnosis of PMDD.
How Can I Take Care Of Myself
Once you begin treatment, you should gradually start to feel better. Go easy on yourself during this time. Try to do things you used to enjoy. Even if you dont feel like doing them, they can improve your mood. Other things that may help:
- Try to get some physical activity. Just 30 minutes a day of walking can boost mood.
- Try to maintain a regular bedtime and wake-up time.
- Eat regular, healthy meals.
- Do what you can as you can. Decide what must get done and what can wait.
- Try to connect with other people, and talk with people you trust about how you are feeling.
- Postpone important life decisions until you feel better.
- Avoid using alcohol, nicotine, or drugs, including medications not prescribed for you.
Risk Factors For Clinical Depression
Depression often begins in the teens, 20s, or 30s, but it can occur at any age, more women than men are diagnosed with depression, but this is partly because women are more likely to seek and get treatment.
Factors that appear to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression include:
- Certain personality traits include low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical, or pessimistic.
- Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a complicated relationship, or financial problems.
- Blood relatives with a history of depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, or suicide.
- History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety, eating, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Alcohol or recreational drug abuse.
- Severe or chronic illnesses, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease.
- Certain medications, such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills (talk to your doctor before stopping any medicines.
Don’t Miss: Do I Go To My Doctor For Depression
Clinical Depression Treatment Programmes
At Priory, we also offer a number of different treatment options for depression, depending on the intensity of the support you need.
When it comes to clinical depression, you may need a period of inpatient treatment so that you get intensive, round-the-clock support. Inpatient treatment is when you stay at one of our hospitals on a residential basis. Here, youll receive structured care for your clinical depression and will have the chance to spend some time away from the stresses and demands of your daily life so you can really focus on your recovery. Inpatient treatment is especially important for people who have thoughts of harming themselves.
Other treatment programmes that were able to offer include:
Day care
Consists of you attending one of our sites for a certain number of full or half-days per week, where youll receive therapy and support for your clinical depression
Outpatient treatment
Is when you attend one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres for therapy sessions, which usually take place on a weekly basis
Online therapy
Allows you to access specialist treatment for clinical depression from the comfort of your own home, on your mobile, tablet or laptop. This can be accessed via our online therapy platform, Priory Connect.
How To Cope With Clinical Depression
It is important to understand that clinical depression is a real medical condition that affects your mood, thoughts, body, and behavior. It is not just feeling blue for a few days or weeks. Clinical depression can cause serious problems in your life and make it hard to function.
Though medication and therapy are valuable treatments for clinical depression. Still, some people are believed to cope with this condition more effectively. Hence, there are things you can do on your own to help manage your symptoms.
Here are ten tips for you to cope with clinical depression:
Recommended Reading: Best Book In The Bible For Depression
Can Depression Be Prevented
You can help prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.
If youve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help. Care can help you feel better sooner.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
Common symptoms of depression include:
- Persistent sad, anxious, or empty mood
- Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
- Feelings of irritability, frustration or restlessness
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies or activities
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
- Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause and that do not ease even with treatment
- Suicide attempts or thoughts of death or suicide
If you or someone you know is in immediate distress or is thinking about hurting themselves, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline toll-free at 1-800-273-TALK . You also can text the Crisis Text Line or use the Lifeline Chat on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website.
Read Also: I M Lonely And Depressed
How Is Major Depression Treated
Major or clinical depression is a serious but treatable illness. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist may recommend treatment with an antidepressant medication. They may also suggest psychotherapy, or talk therapy, in which you address your emotional state.
Sometimes, other medications are added to the antidepressant to boost its effectiveness. Certain medicines work better for some people. It may be necessary for your doctor to try different drugs at different doses to determine which medicine works best for you.
There are other treatment options for clinical depression — such as electroconvulsive therapy, also called ECT or shock therapy — that can be used if drugs prove ineffective or symptoms are severe.Ã Other treatments for depression that is difficult to treat include intranasal ketamine or transcranial magnetic stimulation
Who Is At Risk For Depression
Depression can affect anyone, no matter their age, gender or circumstances. About 16 million Americans experience depression each year.
Women may experience depression more often than men. And your genetics or other health conditions can increase the likelihood that youll have at least one depressive episode in your lifetime.
Don’t Miss: How To Support Someone With Depression
Psychotic Depression: Losing Touch With Reality
Psychosis a mental state characterized by disorganized thinking or behavior false beliefs, known as delusions or false sights or sounds, known as hallucinations doesn’t typically get associated with depression. But according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 20 percent of people with depression have episodes so severe that they develop psychotic symptoms.
“People with this psychotic depression may become catatonic, not speak, or not leave their bed,” Halaris says. Treatment may require a combination of antidepressant and antipsychotic medications. A review of 10 studies concluded that it may be best to start with an antidepressant drug alone and then add an antipsychotic drug if needed. Another review, however, published in April 2012 in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, found that the combination of medications was more effective than either drug alone in treating this serious type of depression.
Antidepressants For Clinical Depression
We can also prescribe antidepressant medication, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for your clinical depression, if this is needed. Antidepressants can be taken alongside the therapy you receive for your clinical depression and acts as an additional barrier against your symptoms.
Our treatment programmes are designed to help you develop the tools you need to overcome this debilitating illness, and take steps towards recovery and wellbeing. Were with you every step of the way.
For details of how Priory can provide you with assistance regarding mental health and wellbeing, please call 0800 840 3219 or make an enquiry. For professionals looking to make a referral, please click here.
You May Like: Anti Anxiety Anti Depression Medication List
When To Contact A Medical Professional
- You hear voices that are not there.
- You cry often without cause.
- Your depression has affected your work, school, or family life for longer than 2 weeks.
- You have three or more symptoms of depression.
- You think one of your current medicines may be making you feel depressed. DO NOT change or stop taking any medicines without talking to your provider.
- If you think your child or teen may be depressed.
You should also call your provider if:
- You think you should cut back on drinking alcohol
Who Is At Risk For Major Depression
Major depression affects about 6.7% of the U.S. population over age 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Overall, between 20% and 25% of adults may suffer an episode of major depression at some point during their lifetime.
Major depression also affects older adults, teens, and children, but frequently goes undiagnosed and untreated in these populations.
Read Also: Who Do You See If You Have Depression
Depression Types Unique To Women
Although women are at higher risk for general depression, they are also at risk for two different depression types that are influenced by reproductive hormonesperinatal depression and premenstrual dysphoric disorder .
Antenatal And Postnatal Depression
Women are at an increased risk of depression during pregnancy and in the year following childbirth . This time frame may also be referred to as the perinatal period.
The causes of depression at this time can be complex and are often the result of a combination of factors. In the days immediately following birth, many women experience the baby blues, which is a common condition related to hormonal changes, affecting up to 80 per cent of women who have given birth.
The baby blues, or the general stress of adjusting to pregnancy or a new baby, are common experiences, but are different from depression.
Depression is longer lasting and can affect not only the mother, but her relationship with her baby, the childs development, the mothers relationship with her partner and with other members of the family.
Up to one in 10 women will experience depression during pregnancy. This increases to 16 per cent in the first three months after having a baby.
Recommended Reading: Can Lack Of Social Interaction Cause Depression
How Is Major Depression Diagnosed
A health professional — such as your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist — will perform a thorough medical evaluation. You might receive a screening for depression at a regular doctorââ¬â¢s visit. The professional will ask about your personal and family psychiatric history and ask you questions that screen for the symptoms of major depression.
There is no blood test, X-ray, or other laboratory test that can be used to diagnose major depression. However, your doctor may run blood tests to help detect any other medical problems that have symptoms similar to those of depression. For example, hypothyroidism can cause some of the same symptoms as depression, as can alcohol or drug use and abuse, some medications, and stroke.
Dysthymia: The Common Depression Type You May Not Know
About 2 percent of the American population have a depression type that’s less severe than major depression, but is still very real dysthymia.
Dysthymia is a type of depression that causes a low mood over a long period of time perhaps for a year or more, says Halaris. “People can function adequately, but not optimally.” Symptoms include sadness, trouble concentrating, fatigue, and changes in sleep habits and appetite.
This depression type usually responds better to talk therapy than to medications, though some studies suggest that combining medication with talk therapy may lead to the greatest improvement. People with dysthymia may also be at risk for episodes of major or clinical depression.
Read Also: What Is Causing My Depression And Anxiety
Learning More About Clinical Depression
The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe, and they can be temporary or long-lasting. Clinical depression is also referred to as major depression or major depressive disorder, and its a more severe type of depression than temporary sadness that doesnt prevent you from participating in your daily activities.
Clinicians rely on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , published by the American Psychiatric Association for the criteria to diagnose someone with clinical depression symptoms.
Depression symptoms must be present for at least two weeks to be considered clinical depression. Clinical depression is a serious mood disorder because it interferes with normal functioning. People with depression experience symptoms that affect how they feel, think, and handle their daily lives. The symptoms of depression often interfere with sleep, diet, and work.
Certain types of depression develop under specific, unique circumstances.
Changes That Are Required By Your Body
Whether the problem is physical or psychological, it cant be recovered without your little effort. So, for recovery, you should help yourself and make some positive changes in your lifestyle.
- Try to do exercise regularly and be active
- Set attainable goals for yourself
- Dont try to isolate yourself and let others help you
- Try to spend time with your friends, family, and other people
- Expect your feelings to improve slowly, not immediately
- Postpone important decisions such as divorce, getting married, or changing your job until you feel good
- Continue educating yourself about depression
You May Like: How Do Doctors Test You For Depression
How Is Depression Diagnosed
To be diagnosed with depression, an individual must have five depression symptoms every day, nearly all day, for at least 2 weeks. One of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in almost all activities. Children and adolescents may be irritable rather than sad.
If you think you may have depression, talk to your health care provider. Primary care providers routinely diagnose and treat depression and refer individuals to mental health professionals, such as psychologists or psychiatrists.
During the visit, your provider may ask when your symptoms began, how long they last, how often they occur, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities. It may help to make some notes about your symptoms before your visit. Certain medications and some medical conditions, such as viruses or a thyroid disorder, can cause the same depression symptoms. Your provider can rule out these possibilities by doing a physical exam, interview, and lab tests.
Read NIMHs Tips for Talking With Your Health Care Provider to help prepare for and get the most out of your visit. For additional resources, visit the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality website.
Can Clinical Depression Be Prevented
Most researchers think that clinical depression cannot be recovered, but it is also said that about 10-12% of clinical depression can be prevented if you exercise an hour a week. Most things that can increase the risk of getting depression are the things that are not under your control, like genes, brain chemicals, and the environment.
Don’t Miss: Can Clinical Depression Be Genetic
Clinical Depression More Than Just Feeling Sad
Clinical depression is more than feeling unhappy, sad, or fed up for a few days. Clinical depression is characterised by a pervasive low mood, which lasts for weeks or months, and your symptoms are likely to be intense and debilitating.
Clinical depression often causes noticeable problems in all areas of your life. It can cause you to struggle to look after yourself or carry out your normal daily responsibilities. Even the simplest tasks like getting out of bed, getting dressed and washing yourself can seem impossible. You may feel lonely and isolated and feel as though your clinical depression has infiltrated every area of your life, making every day a struggle.
People with clinical depression may also have frequent thoughts about dying or experience suicidal impulses. Therefore, clinical depression is a life-threatening condition.
However, you really dont have to suffer in silence. Clinical depression is very treatable, and its possible for you to get better.
More About Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs and severe lows . Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, an individual is overly “up” or irritable. Someone in a manic state may appear excessively talkative and energetic, with little need for rest or sleep. This can affect thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, an individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes, or engage in reckless spending sprees or increased sexual activity. Individuals who are in a manic state may feel in possession of special powers or abilities that others can’t understand. Bipolar Disorder is treatable.
You May Like: Living With A Depressed Narcissist