Different Types Of Depression

Dysthymia

The symptoms of dysthymia are broadly similar to those of major depression, but on a far less serious and debilitating level.

It is a condition that is likely to last for long time, but because of the lower level of severity, it is possible that anyone suffering from dysthymia will be able to lead a normal life most of the time.

Nevertheless, because of the condition, it is likely that a sufferer will not enjoy life anywhere near as much as other people in the same situation or that there is a persistent ‘not so good’ feeling and lethargy.
It is also quite likely that anyone suffering from dysthymia will go through bouts of far more serious depressive episodes (a major depressive episode) which may be more or less frequent depending upon the individual concerned.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is defined as a depressive episode that occurs within one year of childbirth. The condition, sometimes also known as postnatal depression, tends to affect women (although it is not unknown for men to suffer as well), and while there are no definitive figures for how many women suffer from PPD (because there is no universally agreed definition of what constitutes real depression as opposed to general ‘moodiness’), some estimates suggest that PPD can be seen in between 5% and 25% of women who have recently given birth.


Although it has been suggested that the profound variations in hormone levels that occur following pregnancy might have something to do with PPD levels, there is no hard evidence of this.

To a certain extent, whether PPD is a short lived problem or one that persists for a significant length of time will depend on the primary cause of the condition.

For example, if PPD is brought on by a lack of money or general insecurity, this causative factor is not likely to change any time soon. Hence, the condition is likely to persist for some time, whereas if PPD is caused by something that can be dealt with (e.g. increased weight leading to feelings of unattractiveness), the condition is likely to pass far more quickly, particularly if the sufferer is appropriately counseled.

Seasonal affective disorder

As the name might suggest, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a depressive condition that is triggered by the changing of the seasons, with the most common form of SAD being winter-onset depression. It is believed that up to half a million US citizens suffer a serious change of mood and depressive symptoms with the onset of winter every year.

Indeed, according to the US National Library of Medicine, many people who suffer winter onset SAD “sleep too much, (have) little energy and crave sweet and starchy foods. They may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up”, presumably once the seasons start to change again.
It is believed that the condition is related to a lack of sunlight during the winter months, a view which is supported by the effectiveness of bright light therapy in reducing the worst symptoms of the condition.
Despite the notion that the condition usually clears itself up, it is nevertheless a serious condition with many of the symptoms mimicking those of major depression and/or dysthymia.

Indeed, one report on SAD suggests that up to 35% of sufferers will require hospitalization as a result of their condition at least once, and as with all depressive disorders, SAD increases the suicide risk.
Once again, according to studies, there is some evidence that SAD is associated with a lack of serotonin, while others have suggested that the condition is caused by melatonin which is produced by the pineal gland in dim light.