Many people nowadays are confronted with different types of mental health illnesses. The most common is depression.
Depression is a mood disorder. Feelings of anger, loss, or sadness interfere with a person’s daily activities. It involves self-loathing and loss of self-esteem. This results in people losing time and having lower productivity.
Signs and symptoms of depression are not the same. They can vary based on severity, how long they last, and how often it happens. But, the general signs and symptoms include feeling hopeless, worthless, and pessimistic, crying a lot, decreased energy, appetite changes, difficulty sleeping, thoughts of death, suicide, and self-harm.
To further understand depression, listed below are the ten most common types of depression, how they are different, and their respective treatments.
Clinical Depression
Clinical depression, or major depressive disorder (MDD), is the more severe type of depression. It’s also the most common type of depression. A person diagnosed with clinical depression experiences persistent hopelessness, worthlessness, and sadness that don’t quickly disappear.
Among the other signs or symptoms that a person might experience five or more days over two weeks are:
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Slowed movement or thinking
- Feeling depressed almost every day
- Sleeping a lot or not sleeping at all
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Fatigue
- Recurring thoughts of suicide and death
It’s critical to immediately consult a medical practitioner or healthcare professional when having these signs and symptoms. They can prescribe medication like Lexapro that manages the symptoms experienced. This antidepressant helps restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.
Use a Lexapro Discount Coupon when buying this medication to save money for other treatments like psychotherapy and natural remedies. Just bring the prescription from the medical practitioner or healthcare professional for easier transactions.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
This type of depression used to be called dysthymia. Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a milder type of depression. However, it’s more chronic than the other type. This is because signs and symptoms last at least two years before a person can be diagnosed.
Among the common symptoms of persistent depressive disorder are changes in appetite, fatigue, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. This can also be treated through medication, psychotherapy, or both.
Atypical Depression
Atypical depression describes patterns of depressive symptoms. The symptoms usually present are oversensitive to criticism, increased appetite, sleeping more than usual, and feeling heaviness in arms and legs. The preferred treatment for this type of depression is prescribed antidepressants like the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
When diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), the person usually experiences symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Lack of energy
- Suicidal ideation
- Insomnia
- Hypersensitivity
To treat this type of depression, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider or medical professional. They usually prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants, drospirenone, and ethinyl estradiol hormonal birth control pills. Other effective treatments include dietary changes, regular exercise, and stress management tools.
Depressive Disorder due to Another Medical Condition
A medical condition causes this type of depression. The typical medical conditions that cause this are Parkinson’s, hypothyroidism, cancer, and heart disease. Treatment of these medical conditions usually improves and treats depression. This is because the person no longer feels the bodily burden of these underlying medical conditions. They’re now relieved from the stress and anxiety these medical conditions bring.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
This type of depression usually happens during winter when people experience shorter days and less sunlight. When it’s spring and summer, it also typically goes away. Antidepressants and light therapy, sitting in front of a special bright light for 15 to 30 minutes, are effective treatments for people with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Psychotic Depression
People diagnosed with psychotic depression also experience the symptoms of those with clinical depression. They also have hallucinations (hearing and seeing things that aren’t there), delusions (false beliefs), and paranoia (wrongly believing others are harming them).
To treat this, a person diagnosed with psychotic depression should take antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs. Electroconvulsive therapy is also an option treatment.
Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression
Peripartum (postpartum) depression (PPD) is a type of depression that occurs during pregnancy or after childbirth. Around one in every nine parents experience this type of depression.
It involves extreme sadness, changes in energy and appetite, and anxiety. Psychotherapy and antidepressant drugs like Lexapro are ways to treat this type of depression.
Situational Depression
This type of depression is stress-related and short-term. It typically develops after experiencing a traumatic event like illness, death of a loved one, school problem, and relationship problem. Situational depression makes it hard for the person to adjust to everyday life. Psychotherapy can help a person diagnosed with situational depression get through this period.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a new type of depression. It’s a childhood condition of extreme anger, irritability, and frequent intense temper outbursts.
People with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder usually have problems at school and home. They also typically have strained relationships with peers. It usually is treated through behavioral therapy. Medications can also be used as long as a medical practitioner or healthcare professional prescribes it.
Final Thoughts
It’s crucial to distinguish between different types of depression and identify the appropriate treatment for effective management. Each type of depression may require a tailored approach, whether therapy, medication, or a combination. Accurate diagnosis and treatment selection can significantly improve outcomes and enhance the overall well-being of individuals struggling with depression.