What are the Different Types of Depression?

There are several different types of depressive disorders that are defined by the severity of the symptoms and how long they last. Certain lifestyle changes, such as having a baby, may also be used to determine which types of depression a person is experiencing.

• Major Depressive Disorder – This type occurs when a person experiences symptoms that last longer than two weeks. The symptoms of depression may also be more severe than what a person with mild symptoms experiences. It is also common for this type to exist along with other forms of the condition.
• Persistent Depressive Disorder – The signs of severe depression can occasionally come and go. However, a person with persistent depressive disorder finds that they have symptoms most days for two years or more. People with this type tend to need to explore every treatment possible to find one that works. Ketamine for depression is often recommended for people with persistent symptoms.

• Postpartum Depression – Women who have recently had a baby can develop this type. It usually develops within the first few weeks after giving birth, but it can arise at any point during the first year.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder – The reasons for this disorder are still not clear. However, some people find that they develop prolonged periods of low energy and a sad mood during certain times of the year. Typically, this is most noticeable during the fall and winter months.

• Bipolar Disorder – With this disorder, people swing from having depressive symptoms to experiencing periods of mania. These cycles of mood swings can happen every few weeks, or multiple times a day.

What are the Common Signs That Someone is Depressed?

Prolonged or intense periods of sadness are the most common symptoms that people experience. During these periods, a person may also lose interest in their normal activities. While some people may experience intense sadness that involves crying, others may just have a low level of dissatisfaction with life. As the condition continues, people tend to begin to isolate themselves from others. They may also stop taking care of their personal hygiene, and they may stop keeping their home or bedroom clean.

What Other Symptoms of Depression Are There?

The majority of the types of depression include sadness as their main symptom. However, there is a subtype that is known as Atypical Depressive Disorder. With this type of disorder, a person sometimes experiences or displays symptoms that are opposite of what you might expect. For instance, some people are capable of being completely functional by putting on a smile each day and forcing themselves to participate at work or school. People with this type of depression may feel apathetic about life but describe themselves as going through the motions. They may also struggle with an increased appetite and insomnia that is disruptive to their life.

What Happens When the Symptoms Are Severe?

Some people have only mild symptoms that never get worse. While these people still need treatment, they do not usually find that their condition affects every aspect of their life. The signs of severe depression include the following:

• unusual sleep patterns, such as sleeping all day
• refusing to socialize with others
• engaging in self-harm
• misusing substances in an attempt to feel better
• discussions about suicide or actual attempts.

What If It Goes Untreated?

It is always best to seek help at the first signs of depression because early treatment makes it easier to find relief from the symptoms. Unfortunately, the early signs are sometimes missed, or a person may refuse to seek help until they see the negative impact that allowing the mental health condition to go untreated has on their life.

Ignoring a mental health issue does not make it go away. Instead, this strategy usually results in negative impacts upon a person’s life. Someone who leaves their depressive disorder untreated risks damaging their relationships. As they push people away, some people do not understand. It is common for someone with untreated depression to end up with a divorce or other damaged relationships that can only be mended after they seek help.

Untreated depressive disorders can also be accompanied by addiction. When a person attempts to ease their symptoms with drugs or alcohol, it is called self-medicating. This can become a vicious cycle since the side effects of drugs and alcohol can make the symptoms of depression worse. The good news is that seeking help for a depressive disorder can help people begin to end the damage that their condition is causing to their life.

How Do You Find Out If You Are Depressed?

Many people notice the symptoms of depressive disorder in their life, but you do need to seek a professional diagnosis. Most counselors and physicians can make an accurate diagnosis simply by asking a series of questions to find out about how a person feels and functions from day to day. In some cases, a medical exam may be performed to rule out other health conditions. However, it is not always necessary.

What Types of Treatment are Available?

There are several types of treatment that are available for depressive disorders, but most take a long period of time to work. Some are also ineffective for some people, and it is not uncommon for a person to try several strategies before they find one that helps. Ketamine Treatment for depression has been used for many years, but it is finally receiving the recognition that it deserves now that it is shown to work faster than other types while also reducing the most severe symptoms such as suicidal thinking.

How Does Ketamine Treatment for Depression Work?

Research is still being performed to understand exactly why and how Ketamine for depression is so effective. The current understanding is that Ketamine binds to receptors in the brain that increases the amount of a neurotransmitter called glutamate that is released. This then sets off a chain of reactions within the brain that affects thinking and emotional regulation.

In simple terms, the brain reacts to Ketamine in a way that triggers hormones that help create feel-good emotions. This effect also occurs quickly after a person receives their treatment, but some people may need several treatments before they experience the highest level of benefits.

How Can I Help a Loved One Who Is Depressed?

The best way to help someone who is showing signs of depression is to bring it out in the open. Let them know that you care, and offer to help them find a solution that alleviates their symptoms. Surrounding someone with this condition with support is the best way to help them find the treatment that they need.

Now that more is known about depressive disorders, there is no reason to suffer in silence. New treatments make it possible to manage the symptoms of depressive disorders so that everyone has the chance to live life to its fullest potential. Whether you or a loved one needs help, be sure to seek professional treatment that provides long-lasting relief that makes life feel enjoyable again.