Depression is a serious mental illness that affects millions of people each year. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms, which can vary from person to person. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of depressive disorders and what you need to know about them. If you think you may be suffering from depression, it is important to seek help from a professional.
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What Are The Types Of Depressive Disorders?
Depression is a mental disorder that is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Depression affects how you feel, think, and behave. It can lead to physical and emotional problems. There are different types of depressive disorders, each with its own symptoms.
The most common types of depressive disorders are:
Major Depressive Disorder
Major depressive disorder, also called major depression, is a mental disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. This disorder is defined as having five or more symptoms of depression lasting for two weeks or more.
There are different types of major depressive disorder, and most of them share similar symptoms. Some of the common symptoms of MDD include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration over small matters
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Sleeping too much or having trouble sleeping
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Recklessness and engaging in risky behaviors
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Major depressive disorder can also cause physical problems, such as:
- Headaches
- Digestive problems
- Chronic pain
- Fatigue
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also called dysthymia, is a mood disorder that involves symptoms of depression that last for at least two years. Although the symptoms are not as severe as those of major depression, they can still interfere with your ability to function normally.
PDD can occur at any age but is most common in adults over the age of 60. However, there are some children and adolescents who may also be diagnosed with PDD. This condition can be distressing for both the individual and their loved ones. Some of the symptoms of PDD include:
- Feelings of sadness or emptiness
- Hopelessness
- Low self-esteem
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Difficulty concentrating
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Irritability
These are some most common signs that you should be aware of. However, it’s important to remember that everyone experiences PDD differently. If you think you or someone you know may be suffering from this disorder, it’s important to seek professional help.
Atypical Depression
This type of depression is characterized by weight gain or loss, oversleeping or insomnia, fatigue, and a feeling of heaviness in the arms or legs. People with atypical depression may also have a hard time enjoying activities they once enjoyed and may be irritable. This type of depression is more common in younger adults and women.
Some of the common signs that are associated with atypical depression include:
- Increased appetite or weight gain
- Sleeping more than usual or insomnia
- Fatigue or low energy
- Feeling of heaviness in the arms or legs
- A hard time enjoying activities that were once enjoyed
- Strongly reactive mood
- Intense sensitivity to rejecting things
These symptoms can be really difficult to manage and cause a lot of pain. If you think you might be suffering from atypical depression, it’s important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand your symptoms and come up with a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is usually referred to as the “winter blues” because it is thought to be caused by the lack of sunlight during winter. People with SAD may experience symptoms such as fatigue, low energy, weight gain, and cravings for carbohydrates.
However, it is a seasonal depression that can occur during any season. But it is still thought to be common in winters. Also, it is believed that it affects more women than men. It is characterized by various signs, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Loss of interest in activities
- Social withdrawal
- Sleepiness or insomnia
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Irritability or agitation
- Difficulty concentrating
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
PPD is a type of depression that can occur after childbirth. It is thought to be caused by the sudden drop in hormones that occurs after delivery. This is a condition where a woman is thought to be depressed for two weeks or more post-delivery.
More often, pregnancy is a time of great joy. But for some women, it’s a time of feeling low, anxious, and even scared. This is more than just the “baby blues.” It can happen to any woman after giving birth, even if she has had a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Some signs could be:
- Feeling restless or irritable
- Crying more often than usual
- Eating more or less than usual
- Experiencing headaches, chest pain
- Severe mood swings
- Feeling inadequate and restless
These symptoms can be really tough for a new mom to deal with. It can be hard to take care of a baby when you’re feeling this way. But it’s important to get help if you think you might have PPD. Talk to your doctor, midwife, or health visitor about how you’re feeling.
So, the types of depressive disorders are many, you just have to be on the lookout for the symptoms. And if you or a loved one is suffering, don’t hesitate to get help. These types of depressive disorders can actually be quite serious, but with the right help, they can be managed.
How Can Depression Affect Your Life?
When you are dealing with any type of depressive disorder, you have to be aware of how it can affect your life. It is important to realize that depression does not just mean feeling sad or blue for a short period of time. Depression is a serious mental illness that can have lasting effects on your mood, energy, thoughts, and behavior.
So, here are some of the areas that can be affected by depression:
Mood
When you are depressed, you may feel sad, hopeless, irritable, or anxious. You may lose interest in activities that you used to enjoy. You may also have trouble sleeping, which can make you feel even more tired and down. In fact, when you’re having a bad mood it will impact your life in different ways.
For example, with an irritating mood, you will tend to get angry more easily, have less patience, and be more touchy. This can make it harder to deal with stress, both at work and at home. Feeling down all the time can lead to social isolation as well since you may not want to see people or do anything.
Energy Level
Depression can also zap your energy, leaving you feeling fatigued, even after a good night’s sleep. This can make it hard to get through the day or do simple tasks. In fact, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression. Eventually, your energy level will affect other things in your life.
Let’s say when you are depressed, you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning. You also have trouble concentrating and making decisions. These things make it hard to go to work or school, which can lead to job loss or poor grades. In turn, this can affect your relationships and finances.
Thoughts
Depression may cause negative thinking, such as feeling like nothing will ever get better or that you’re not good enough. If you’re dealing with these thoughts, it’s important to get help from a mental health professional.
For instance, you may have:
- Hopelessness
- Worthlessness
- Guilt
- Helplessness
These types of thoughts can become so intense that they interfere with your daily life. If this is happening to you, please reach out for help. You don’t have to suffer alone. You just need to look for the right type of support.
Anhedonia
Anhedonia is the inability to experience pleasure from activities you once enjoyed, including sex. This can happen even if you still enjoy other activities and hobbies. Anhedonia makes it hard to find motivation for things that used to make you happy. It’s one of the most common symptoms of depression.
Anhedonia can be a symptom of other mental health conditions, such as:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
So you need to be careful with your thoughts and emotions with depression. Because it can lead to Anhedonia. And also, the negative impacts on life can be really serious.
How To Treat The Types Of Depressive Disorders?
There are several treatment options for the different types of depressive disorders. Let’s discuss all of them for a clear understanding. Some of the widely suggested treatment options are:
Therapy
Therapy is the first line of treatment for most types of depressive disorders. It can be done in different ways, but the goal is always to help the person manage their condition. In this type also, there are numerous of therapy that can be chosen from, for example, some of the therapy options to treat types of depressive disorders:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
CBT is the most common type of therapy used to treat depression. It helps people change the way they think and behave. This, in turn, can help them manage their symptoms. Moreover, CBT is believed to have a long-lasting effect, which is why it is often recommended as a first-line treatment.
In fact, according to studies, CBT is as effective as medication in treating depression. But unlike medication, CBT does not come with any side effects. It aims at helping people identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs.
Interpersonal therapy
IPT is another type of therapy that is commonly used to treat depression. It helps people by improving their communication skills and relationships. IPT can be beneficial for those who have trouble expressing their feelings.
This type of therapy can also help people who are going through a major life event, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. It basically focuses on the present, and how to deal with the current situation.
Light therapy
This therapy is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months. Light therapy involves sitting in front of a light box for 30 minutes each day. The light from the box is thought to mimic the effects of natural sunlight, which can help to improve mood.
More often, light therapy is used as a treatment for SAD, but it can also be effective for other types of depression. If you’re interested in trying light therapy, talk to your doctor about whether it could be right for you.
Psychodynamic therapy
It is often described as “depth” therapy because it focuses on uncovering the unconscious content of a person’s psyche in order to bring it into awareness. The goal is to help the individual understand how his or her early experiences and relationships contribute to current problems and symptoms.
The main goals of psychodynamic therapy are to help the patient become aware of his or her repressed emotions and feelings, to bring these into conscious awareness, to help the patient deal with them in a healthy way, and to resolve any past issues that may be causing current problems.
Group therapy
Group therapy is actually one of the most commonly used therapies for treating depression. It involves meeting with a group of people who are also struggling with depression and sharing your experiences, thoughts, and feelings in an effort to support and help each other.
This type of therapy can be incredibly beneficial because it allows you to see that you’re not alone in your struggle and it can give you some great insights into how other people are coping with their depression.
If you’re interested in group therapy, talk to your doctor or mental health professional about finding a group that’s right for you.
Medications
Medications are usually prescribed with combination therapy to improve the success rate of treatment. It can help relieve symptoms, but they do not cure depression. It is important to continue taking medications even when you are feeling better.
There are different types of medications used to treat depression. The most common type of medication prescribed for depression is an antidepressant. Antidepressants can help improve mood, sleep, appetite, and energy levels.
Other types of medications that may be prescribed include:
- Mood stabilizers
- Antipsychotics
- Anti-anxiety medications
It is important to talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking any type of medication. Some people experience side effects when taking medications for depression. Side effects can be:
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Weight gain or loss
- Sexual side effects
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Constipation or diarrhea
If you experience any side effects, be sure to talk with your doctor. Some side effects can be managed by changing the dose of the medication or taking a different medication. It can take several weeks to start working. You may not notice a difference in your symptoms right away.
Support groups
This is generally overlooked but support groups can be a fantastic way to meet others who are going through the same thing as you. It’s a great way to share your experiences and get different perspectives on how to deal with depression. You might even make some friends in the process!
There are all sorts of different types of support groups out there, so it’s definitely worth doing some research to find one that’s right for you.
You might be surprised how much support groups impact your day-to-day life. Also, research the best support groups whether online or offline. It would be best if you could find one near you.
Herbal remedies
These types of treatment are gaining popularity. Herbal remedies for depression can include:
- St. John’s Wort
- SAM-e
- Omega-three fatty acids
- Saffron
It is believed that these herbal remedies work by:
- Increasing levels of serotonin
- Reducing inflammation
- Supporting nerve cell growth
Before starting any herbal remedies, it is important to speak with a doctor or healthcare provider, as some can have serious side effects and interactions with other medications. Additionally, St. John’s Wort can cause photosensitivity, so it is important to use sunscreen and avoid sun exposure when taking this herb.
Aromatherapy
This is actually a type of therapy that uses fragrant essential oils to improve one’s mood. This can be done through inhalation or topically and has been shown to have positive effects on those suffering from depression.
Some of the most effective essential oils for depression include:
- Bergamot
- Chamomile
- Clary sage
- Cypress
- Orange
- Rosemary
- Sandalwood
- Ylang ylang
If you’re interested in trying aromatherapy to help improve your mood, be sure to talk to a qualified professional about which oils may be best for you and how to use them safely.
Depression is a serious mental illness that can negatively affect how you feel, think, and handle daily activities. Like most mental illnesses, there is no one cause for depression. So with aromatherapy, you will more likely just be treating the symptoms and not the root of the problem. But if it helps you feel better, there is no harm in using this method.
Self-Care Strategies
There are a number of self-care strategies that can help you manage depression. For example, some of these include:
- Identifying and challenging negative thoughts and beliefs
- Connecting with others
- Increasing activity levels and exercise
- Eating a healthy diet
- Getting enough sleep
- Reducing alcohol intake
You may find that some of these strategies work better for you than others. It’s important to experiment and find what works best for you. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a professional if you need it.
While there are many effective self-care strategies that can help reduce the symptoms of depression, it’s important to remember that everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another.
If you’re struggling to find what works for you, it may be helpful to consult with a mental health professional. They can help you identify the self-care strategies that will work best for you based on your unique needs.
So, these are total treatment options that you can get help from, to treat your depression. No matter how mild or severe your depression is, there are a number of self-care strategies and treatments that can help. If you’re not sure where to start, talking to a mental health professional can be a great first step.
Conclusion
To conclude, types of depressive disorders are varied and nuanced, with different causes and effects. Many people suffer from depression in silence, feeling like they are the only ones going through what they are. But the truth is that depression is a very real and common condition that affects people of all ages, races, and walks of life.
Moreover, you have to forget the stigma around mental health and know that it is okay to ask for help. If you think you might be suffering from depression, the first step is to talk to a mental health professional. They can help you make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
For more information, please contact MantraCare. Depression is a mental illness characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities. If you have any queries regarding Online Depression Counseling experienced therapists at MantraCare can help: Book a trial Depression Therapy session
