Types of Depressive Disorders

There are many classifications of depression and major depressive disorders along with dysthymic disorders are the most commonly identified.¹¹²

• Major depressive disorders are also known as major depression; collectively symptoms impact one’s ability to function, work, and enjoy life. This type of depression becomes disabling; it may occur only once or recur throughout a lifespan. Suicide is a factor in this category.

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (previously known as dysthymic disorder) are typically characterized as lasting two or more years; altering normal functioning, yet not totally creating disability. Episodes involving major depression tend to occur often during a lifetime.

• Bipolar Disorder, sometimes called "manic depression," has mood episodes that range from extremes of high energy with an "up" mood to low "depressive" periods.

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder(DMDD) is a childhood depressive disorder in which children and adolescents (age 6 to 18 years) have frequent, intense anger outbursts and ongoing irritability.

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is a period of major depression that happens when seasons change. Most people experience SAD during the winter months, when the days grow short and you get less and less sunlight. It typically goes away in the spring and summer.

• Psychotic depression, or depressive psychosis, have the symptoms of major depression along with "psychotic" symptoms, such as: hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there); delusions (false beliefs); and/or paranoia (wrongly believing that others are trying to harm you).

• Prenatal Depression happens during pregnancy and causes ongoing or extreme sadness, we discussed this previously.

• Postpartum Depression was discussed previously.

• Postpartum Psychosis is a rare but severe form of depression that needs immediate treatment.

• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) have depression and other symptoms the week or two before the start of their period. This mood disorder is more severe than premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and interferes with daily life.

• 'Situational' Depression, while not atechnical term in psychiatry, occurs when one has a depressed mood when having difficulty managing a stressful event in your life, such as a death in your family, a divorce, or losing your job.

• Atypical Depression is different from the persistent sadness of typical depression. It is considered to be a "specifier" that describes a pattern of depressive symptoms.

• Treatment-Resistant Depression - About 1/3 of people treated for depression try several treatment methods without success.

Depression can make life very difficult, but it can be trated. For more information on the types of depression and their treatment, go to: Types of Depression: Major, Chronic, Manic, and More Types.¹¹²