What are the different types of depression?

If you suspect you may have depression, it is recommended to seek professional help as soon as possible. It is advisable to reach out to a mental health professional if you experience persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Seeking professional help allows for early intervention and appropriate treatment to improve your well-being.

Yes, there are different types of depression, such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression, among others. While the core symptoms of depression may be similar across these types, variations in duration, timing, and specific symptoms may require different diagnostic approaches. Mental health professionals consider these factors and utilize specific criteria to accurately diagnose the specific type of depression a person may be experiencing.

A mental health professional typically diagnoses depression by conducting a comprehensive assessment that includes evaluating the patient's symptoms, medical history, and any potential underlying causes or contributing factors. They may also use standardized questionnaires or diagnostic criteria, such as those outlined in the DSM-5, to aid in the diagnosis process.

The best way to help your friend to fight depression is to use therapy.

• One can try therapy by consulting a trained therapist or psychiatrist.
• One talks to identify and try to cope\cure their condition.
• It is the most effective and popular treatment for depression in today’s world.
• It can be used alongside medication treatment to help get better.
• There are different types of therapy and one can find which suits best.

5 Best ways to fight Depression.

1. Through medication
2. Through therapy
3. Meditation
4. Acupuncture and pressure points
5. Exercise

"Depression is a medical condition that causes mood and behavioral changes and changes one’s thought pattern."

Depression is the most commonly heard concept in today’s world though we only know little about it. Depression can affect your low mood cycle continuously over a long time, affecting both mental and physical health.

Things that cause depression.

Mood Changes

One suffering from depression goes through various episodes of

• Constantly Feeling Sad
• Angry
• Guilty
• Hopelessness
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness.

Behavioral Changes

Behavioral changes include

• Social withdrawal
• Lack of energy
• Loss\gain of appetite
• Feelings of demotivation
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Poor concentration

Thought Pattern

One’s thoughts are most affected by depression.

• Poor elf-esteem
• loss of interest
• Feeling suicidal

Bipolar I includes shifts in moods that are abnormal to the person’s usual behavior which can last for a whole day in bipolar disorder.

The severe manic episodes along with psychosis in which it is difficult to differentiate between reality and what is not real are called mania and the person being diagnosed with Bipolar I.

Here are 7 signs of bipolar disorder.

• Depressed mood
• Weight loss
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Suicidal Thoughts
• Feeling inappropriate guilt
• Indecisiveness

Psychotherapy is also the most common and effective treatment for bipolar disorder. It includes:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy is ‘talk therapy’ where the patient talks about the symptoms with a trained practitioner and learns about his condition to try and understands his thought patterns and learn coping strategies.
• Psychoeducation is trying to understand bipolar disorder and possible treatment which also helps in the long run.
• One can notice or recognize the disorder in early stages in other people and help them too with their own experiences and coping methods.

3 Main factors cause bipolar disorder in the brain.

• Genetics
• Brain or Neurotic Structure
• Environmental Factors

Bipolar disorder also known as manic depression is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings which also include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression).

You can use therapy to treat Clinical Depression.

• In therapy one talks to identify and try to cope\cure their condition.
• It is the most effective and popular treatment for depression in today’s world if done perfectly with medication that suits the patient.
• It can be used alongside medication treatment to help get better.
• There are different types of therapy and one can find which suits best.

Clinical Depression must be identified and treated with care. Sometimes treatment does not always make your depression go away completely but it makes the symptoms manageable and makes the condition better.

You can prevent Clinical Depression by noticing the symptoms and treating them in the early stages. Talk with your doctor through your treatment about the effect it has on your condition to find the best medication for you.

Clinical Depression Causes

1. Genetic Factors 

Researches show that people who have had a history of family depression are more likely to develop Clinical Depression though it is not necessary. The chances seem to increase with how close the family members are.

2. Biological Factors

Biological factors include the brain function of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are molecules in the brain responsible for relaying messages or signaling functions between one neuron to another. 

Clinical Depression changes our life except for depression which is persistent and lasts longer than usual more than months.

Major Depression or Clinical depression is persistent and lasts longer than usual. It is a mental health condition with affects a person’s daily life because of consistent downfall in mood, low-energy behavior, inability to enjoy things you love or do activities that you enjoy, and anhedonia for short.

Dysthymia has symptoms like :

• Depressive symptoms like sadness, anger, guilt, emptiness, and fatigue for most of the day.
• Loss or gain of appetite
• Oversleeping or difficulty falling asleep.
• Low energy or anhedonia (losing interest in things you once enjoyed)
• Poor concentration or lack of focus
• Continuous feeling of hopelessness

If you have dysthymia, you’ll have at least two of these symptoms, along with a depressed mood. The symptoms will have hung on for at least 2 years without much relief.

Dysthymia can be treated by 3 techniques.

1. Medication
2. Therapy and Counseling
3. Lifestyle Change

If you have dysthymia symptoms will have hung on for at least 2 years without much relief. While in Major Depression You can be diagnosed with MDD if you have symptoms for 2 weeks.

Dysthymia is low mood occurring depression for at least two years, along with at least other symptoms like lost interest in normal activities, hopelessness, low self-esteem, low appetite, low energy, sleep changes, and poor concentration.

Bring your current glasses or contact lens prescription, a list of medications, and details of your medical and eye history to help your surgeon assess your suitability.

You’re a good candidate if you have a stable prescription, healthy eyes, and adequate corneal thickness. Your surgeon will confirm this after detailed eye scans.

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