Types of Depression Explained

For

The 3 Major Types of Depression

by: Alexander Matis, MSc

There are various types of depression known today, which can be more or less easily distinguished from each other. In principle the following three types of depression are known:

• Major Depression
• Dysthymia
• Manic Depressive Disorder (also called bipolar disorder)

Major Depression

Major depression is in a way the archetypic form of depression since, depending on the individual case, most or all the classic signs of depression occur in a severe form. Accordingly, major depression symptoms include the disability to sleep, and to function properly, loss of appetite, drive and motivation even for simple activities, deep sadness, loss of self esteem, anxiety, and potentially strong suicidal thoughts. This type of depression may occur only as a single episode that disappears after treatment. This is especially the case, if it was caused through a life changing event such as the death of a relative. However, in many instances major depression episodes can happen more than once through a patient´s life time.

Dysthymia

On the one hand dysthymia is a less debilitating type of depression since the depressive symptoms are (though generally of the same type) not as strong as the ones experienced during episodes of major depression. On the other hand however dysthymia has the major disadvantage that it is a long-term chronic condition, which needs  constant treatment in many instances. Dysthymia does usually not totally disable a patient from living his life such as major depression. However, the disorder prevents the patient from really feeling good and enjoying his life as well as from performing properly at work. A large number of dysthymia sufferers also also experiences major depressive episodes at some point in time during their lives.

Manic Depressive Disorder

Manic Depressive Disorder is a type of depression that is characterized by mood swings between severe emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). Manic depressive disorder, while still affecting a large number of people world wide is nonetheless by far the least common of the three types of depression. The mood swings can occur very rapidly with a dramatic effect, although a gradual change from mania to depression or vice versa is more common. During the manic phase the patient commonly is overconfident, outgoing, over talkative, overactive and is not in a position to think, behave and judge properly which oftentimes leads to embarrassing and potentially even dangerous situations. In a full manic phase the patient may for example make unwise business decisions, make grand schemes that are absolutely unrealistic or risk his life by misjudging dangerous traffic situations.
If left untreated, mania can worsen to a psychotic state. The depressive phases of manic depressive disorder are similar to the ones of major depression.