Types of Depression
Depressive disorders come in different forms, just as is the case with other illnesses.
Some of the more common types of depressive illness are:
Major depression
Consists of a series of symptoms which interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
Dysthymia
This is a less severe type of depression which involves long-term chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
Bipolar Disorder
Not nearly as common as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, also formerly called manic depression, is characterised by cycling mood changes of severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). There is a separate fact sheet on bipolar disorder.
Postnatal depression
This is not "the baby blues" which occurs 2-3 days after the birth and goes away. Postnatal depression can occur from about 2 weeks and up to 2 years after the birth.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
A type of depression which generally coincides with the approach of winter starting usually from September and lasting until spring brings longer days and more sunshine.
Major depression
Consists of a series of symptoms which interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.
Dysthymia
This is a less severe type of depression which involves long-term chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.
Bipolar Disorder
Not nearly as common as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder, also formerly called manic depression, is characterised by cycling mood changes of severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). There is a separate fact sheet on bipolar disorder.
Postnatal depression
This is not "the baby blues" which occurs 2-3 days after the birth and goes away. Postnatal depression can occur from about 2 weeks and up to 2 years after the birth.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
A type of depression which generally coincides with the approach of winter starting usually from September and lasting until spring brings longer days and more sunshine.
