Depression

Depression is a common but significant mood illness (sometimes known as major depressive disorder or clinical depression). It produces severe symptoms that interfere with your ability to function on a daily basis, including sleeping, eating, and working. The signs of depression must last for at least two weeks before a diagnosis may be made.

Some types of depression are slightly distinct from others, or they may arise under particular situations, such as:

• Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) – A depressed state that persists for at least two years is referred to as persistent depressive disorder (also known as dysthymia). A person with persistent depressive illness may experience major depressive episodes as well as periods of less severe symptoms, but the condition must be present for at least two years in order to be identified.

• “Baby Blues” –  The “baby blues” are significantly less serious than postpartum depression. Many women suffer (very moderate depression and anxiety symptoms that normally subside within two weeks following delivery). Major depression sets in for postpartum women either during pregnancy or right after delivery (postpartum depression). Postpartum depression can make it difficult for new moms to carry out daily care tasks for themselves or their kids because of the intense grief, worry, and weariness that it brings. 

• Psychotic Depression (Hallucinations) – When a person experiences both severe depression and a psychotic condition, such as delusions or hearing or seeing distressing things that other people are unable to see or hear, this condition is known as psychotic depression (hallucinations). The depressive “theme,” such as illusions of guilt, poverty, or disease, is frequently present in the psychotic symptoms. 

• Seasonal Depression – The symptoms of seasonal Depression often first appears in the winter, when there is less natural sunlight. In most cases, this depression subsides in the spring and summer. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) regularly returns every year during the winter, sometimes accompanied by social seclusion, more sleep, and weight gain.

• Bipolar Disorder – Although bipolar disorder is distinct from depression, it is included in this list because a person with the condition sometimes has episodes of highly depressed mood that are considered to be major depressive disorder (also known as “bipolar depression”). However, a person with bipolar disorder can also experience “mania,” a less severe variant of which is called “hypomania,” which are extremely high, euphoric, or irritated moods.