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HEALTH: Depression Types – Volume 2

August 23, 2008 – 11:59 am

Psychotic Depression: It is known the extreme form of depression. People with psychotic depression display irrational thoughts and behaviour characteristics. They see hallucinations and they know that their thoughts are not true. Antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy are used for the treatment of this depression type.

 

 

Symptoms:
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia and hypochondria
• Psychomotor retardation
• Frightening dreams
• Insomnia
• Extreme anxiety
• Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
• Poor judgement

Atypical Depression: This depression type is very common in women. It is a sub-type of dysthymia and major depression. Generally it begins in adolescence and if it is not treated, it will continue throughout the life. Antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy are used for the treatment of this depression type.

Symptoms:
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Decreased sex drive
• Increased appetite
• Weight changes
• Feeling sad, hopeless or overwhelmed
• Having physical aches and pains that do not respond to treatment
• Fatigue or lack of energy
• Over sleep

Cyclothymic Disorder: This disorder is seen both men and women. But more women than men have this disorder. The person with cyclothymic disorder experiences frequent mood swings. The symptoms of disorder are not severe but they are chronic. The mood of the person changes from low mood to high mood or from high mood to low mood very easily. These mood swings can last several months. Antidepressant and electroconvulsive therapy are used for the treatment of this depression type.

Symptoms (during low mood):
• Changes in appetite
• Sleep problems
• Fatigue and lack of energy
• Poor judgement
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Feeling miserable and sad
• Crying spells
• Decreased sex drive
• Thoughts about death and suicide
• Slow movement and thinking

Symptoms (during high mood):
• Feeling the need to talk more
• Increased energy, activity and productivity
• Loud speech
• Increased sexual behaviour
• Speaking very quickly
• Elation
• Abuse of  drugs
• Risky and impulsive behaviour

Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD): It is a subtype of depression. People generally experience this depression in winter and summer. Winter onset SAD is more common than summer onset SAD. Summer onset SAD usually begins in the late spring or early summer and ends in winter. Winter onset SAD usually begins in the late fall or early winter and ends in summer. Winter onset SAD is generally seen in the northern countries.

The treatment of the disorder is available. Light therapy, psychotherapy and medication are the treatment methods for the disorder.

Symptoms of winter onset SAD:
• Feeling miserable and sad
• Avoiding social interaction (isolation)
• Oversleeping
• Decreased sex drive
• Anxiety
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Fatigue and decreased energy
• Weight gain
• Poor concentration
• Cravings for candy, chocolate and carbohydrates
• Crying spells
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Body aches

Symptoms of summer onset SAD:
• Poor appetite
• Loss weight
• Increased sex drive
• Insomnia
• Body aches
• Fatigue and decreased energy

Read Depression Types Volume 1.

Also read: What causes depression