Types of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder

This illness impairs a person's ability to work, sleep, eat, and function as he or she normally would. It keeps people from enjoying activities that were once pleasurable, and causes them to think about themselves and the world in negative ways. Major depression is often disabling and may occur several times in a person's lifetime. 

Dysthymic Disorder

A milder yet more enduring type of major depression. People with dysthymia may appear to be chronically mildly depressed to the point that it seems to be a part of their personality. When a person finally seeks treatment for dysthymia, it is not uncommon that he/she has struggled with this condition for a number of years. 

Bipolar Disorder

Also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive disorder. This condition is characterized by mood that alternates between periods of depression and periods of elation and excitable behavior known as mania (see symptoms below). For people who have bipolar disorder, the depressions can be severe and the mania can seriously impair one's normal judgment. When manic, a person is prone towards reckless and inappropriate behavior such as engaging in wild spending sprees or having promiscuous sex. He or she may not be able to realize the harm of his/her behavior and may even lose touch with reality. 

Cyclothymic Disorder

A milder yet more enduring type of bipolar disorder. A person's mood alternates between a less severe mania (known as hypomania) and a less severe depression.

Mood Disorder

Due to a General Medical ConditionDepression may be caused or precipitated by a known or unknown physical medical condition such as hypothyroidism.

Substance-Induced Mood Disorder

Depression may be caused or precipitated by the use or abuse of substances such as drugs, alcohol, medications, or toxins. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This condition affects people during specific times or seasons of the year. During the winter months individuals feel depressed and lethargic, but during other months their moods may be normal. 

Postpartum Depression

A rare form of depression occurring in women within approximately one week to six months after giving birth to a child.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

This is an uncommon type of depression affecting a small percentage of menstruating women. It is a cyclical condition in which women may feel depressed and irritable for one or two weeks before their menstrual period each month.