The 5 types of depression that exist, their symptoms and characteristics

The coming and going of life can bring devastating situations that, mixed with our own personal struggle and the level of our self-esteem at that moment, can result in a depression.

In any case, when we go through states of depression it does not mean that it is the same way for everyone. In reality, depression can take on different shades than we can classify by types of depression.

• Related article: "8 signs of depression you might be ignoring”

What is depression?

Our life does not all happen in a uniform way and our path through it takes on different forms; Sometimes we continue in a straight line and other times the curves that we have to navigate due to unpleasant and unexpected situations appear. In those moments we can feeling down, dejected, sad and unwilling to do anything.

Sometimes this momentary sadness passes leaving important lessons for our learning process. However, in some others that sadness remains in time and becomes, without our knowing it, one of the different types of depression, making a dent in us.

Depression is a mental disorder that affects our way of thinking, feel and even our physical functions. It is about constant suffering, deep sadness, low self-esteem, mood decay, loss of interest in what that we normally like and in general, a reluctance for life, which varies depending on the type of depression we have.

This mental disorder has become increasingly common in our society. It can develop at any stage of our lives, but it is young people who present it in greater intensity, especially women. The important thing is that if you think you are going through a moment of depression, ask for help, so that it is easier for you to get out of that state and improve your well-being.

• Types of feelings: "The 17 types of feelings (that a person can experience)”

The different types of depression

As we mentioned, there are different types of depression according to their symptoms that can be treated with the help of a psychologist and in some cases antidepressant drugs, so that you regain your health mental. These are the different types of depression:

1. Major depression

This is the most serious type of depression we can face and it usually appears during adolescence or young adulthood. When we suffer from major depression, we go through depressive episodes lasting at least 2 weekss, which can be unique or several. We can return to our normal state of mind for months and even years and then have another episode of depression again, or never have it again.

Major depression is divided into two distinct types: if it recurs again throughout our lives, we call it relapsing depression; And if it is a single episode in our life, we call it a single episode depression.

To know if you have this type of depression, you must be suffering from at least 5 of these symptoms:

• Your mood is depressed for most of the day and almost every day
• You have lost interest in activities that you normally like and are gratifying
• Your self esteem is low
• You have feelings of guilt
• You feel fatigued and without energy all the time
• You have lost or gained weight
• You are having insomnia at night or, on the contrary, sleeping excessively
• You are having trouble concentrating and making decisions
• Have you had any suicidal thoughts
• Your reactions and movements are more agitated and then slower.

2. Dysthymia

Dysthymia is a less severe type of depression than major depression, although it is much more prolonged, and that interferes with your well-being and normal functioning like any other depression.

The main feature of dysthymia is that we feel the depressed state for most of the day and almost every day, for an extended period of time of at least 2 years. The symptoms that you could have if we suffer from this type of depression are:

• Your self esteem is low
• You have lost or increased your appetite
• You are having insomnia at night or sleeping excessively
• You feel tired and without energy all the time
• You have a hard time concentrating and making decisions
• You have feelings of hopelessness

3. Manic depression

Manic depression is also known as bipolar disorder which is very different from the other types of depression that we have presented to you, since it combines depressive states with mania, another disorder characterized by moments of extreme euphoria, lack of judgment in decisions, obsession with some fixed idea, abnormal states of agitation and delirium, that is, there are ups and downs extremes.

The truth is that bipolar disorder and manic depression are a serious condition that requires a very specific treatment and accompaniment. In any case, we will tell you the symptoms of the two parts that make up this type of depression:

Depressive symptoms can be:

• You have feelings of hopelessness or helplessness
• Your self esteem is low
• You have continuous feelings of sadness
• You feel that you are inept
• You feel guilty all the time
• You feel like dying
• You have difficulty in your interpersonal relationships
• You have lost interest in activities that you normally like and are gratifying
• You are having insomnia or at night or sleeping excessively
• You have lost or increased your appetite
• You feel tired and without energy all the time
• You have suicidal thoughts
• You are experiencing frequent physical ailments such as stomach pain, headache, and fatigue
• You are very irritable, hostile and aggressive

Among the manic symptoms you can have:

• Your self-esteem skyrockets
• You are more distracted and irritable
• You are participating excessively in high-risk activities that give you pleasure such as sexual promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse, among others.
• You feel more euphoric
• Your mood changes drastically
• You have a higher energy level

4. Seasonal depressive disorder (SAD)

We can feel this type of depression during a certain time of the year., which is usually usually winter. The symptoms, which are very similar to those of other types of depression, slowly increase towards the end of the fall and during the winter months.

These are the symptoms of seasonal depressive disorder SAD:

• You feel hopeless
• You feel more appetite and your weight increases
• You sleep excessively
• You feel without energy
• You have a hard time concentrating
• You lose interest in the activities you normally do
• You feel sad and irritable
• You isolate yourself socially.

5. Postpartum depression

This type of depression is triggered in women after giving birth and as a result of the changes they undergo after pregnancy, both physical and psychological. Yes OK we can suffer from this depression within the first 3 months after delivery, your symptoms may appear up to 1 year later.

The causes of postpartum depression are similar to the previous types of depression, but they also include:

• Important changes at the body level due to pregnancy and giving birth
• Your time is limited, as well as the freedom to dedicate yourself
• Your social and work relationships change
• You have major changes in your sleep cycle due to birth
• You are concerned about your ability to be a mother
• Related article: "The 4 best sleeping positions when you're pregnant”