Affecting millions of people worldwide, depression is more commonly occurring than we think. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), approximately 8% of adults in Canada experience major depressive disorder (MDD) in their lifetime.
Contrary to popular belief, depression isn’t about just feeling sad or being in a bad mood; it’s a serious condition that deeply and consistently affects somebody’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It‘s important for people to familiarize themselves with different types of depression and their symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
1. Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
A type of depression that affects a person’s mood, thoughts, and behaviour, major depressive disorder or MDD may include the following symptoms:
- persistent sadness
- loss of interest in activities
- difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- difficulty concentrating
- fatigue
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- thoughts of suicide
Remember that MDD can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Treatment for MDD may include:
- Medication: Antidepressants can help to alleviate the symptoms of MDD as it balances the chemicals in the brain and stabilizes your mood in turn
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy can definitely help a person identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. Some examples of talk therapy include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy,
- Combination of both: A combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the most effective approach for treating MDD. Both can provide short-term symptom relief and long-term management of depression symptoms.
2. Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a type of depression that is chronic and long-lasting. Unlike MDD, PDD persists for 2 years, whereas MDD has 2 months’ worth of intervals in between depressive episodes. Meanwhile, the symptoms of PDD may include the following:
- persistent sadness
- low self-esteem
- lack of energy
- difficulty sleeping
- poor concentration
- feelings of hopelessness
Just like major depressive disorder, PDD can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Treatment for PDD may include:
- Medication: Antidepressants can also to help alleviate the symptoms of PDD by balancing the chemicals and stabilized your mood as well
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy, can also be helpful to those who are diagnosed with PDD
- Combination of both: Just like MDD, a combination of medication and psychotherapy continues to be the most effective approach for treating PDD. Both can provide short-term symptom relief and long-term management of depression symptoms.
Reminder: The treatment for PDD may take longer than for other types of depression due to its chronic nature.
3. Bipolar Disorder
Formerly called manic depression, bipolar disorder causes periods of depression and periods of mania or hypomania. Here are some details on the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for bipolar disorder:
Symptoms of Bipolar Depression:
- sadness
- loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed
- difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- fatigue
- difficulty concentrating
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- thoughts of suicide
Symptoms of Mania or Hypomania:
- elevated or irritable mood
- decreased need for sleep
- racing thoughts
- grandiosity
- risky behaviours
Causes:
- Genetic factors: Research suggests that bipolar disorder is hereditary, as are other mental health conditions.
- Environmental factors: Traumatic events or stressful life situations can contribute to the development of bipolar disorder.
- Psychological factors: Certain personality traits or coping styles may also increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder.
Treatment Options:
- Medication: Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, are typically prescribed to help manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder by balancing brain chemicals and thereby stabilizing your mood.
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can help a person identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. Psychotherapy can also help with managing symptoms and reducing the risk of relapse.
- Combination of both: A combination of medication and psychotherapy can also be considered for treating bipolar disorder. Both can provide short-term symptom relief and long-term management of bipolar symptoms.
4. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that is triggered by changes in the season, typically during the fall and winter months. The symptoms of SAD may include persistent sadness, lack of energy, increased appetite, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping.
SAD can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Treatment for SAD may include:
- Light Therapy: Exposure to bright artificial light for a certain amount of time each day, usually in the morning, can help regulate the body’s internal clock and improve mood.
- Medication: Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can help alleviate the symptoms of SAD by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain.
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), can help a person identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours that contribute to their depression. The behavioural interventions include increasing exposure to light, spending more time outdoors, and developing a good routine.
Reminder: different types of treatment may be more effective for different people, so starting with an assessment is important.
5. Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is a type of depression among women after giving birth.
The symptoms of postpartum depression may include:
- persistent sadness
- lack of energy
- feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- difficulty sleeping
- thoughts of harming oneself or the baby
Postpartum depression can be caused by various factors such as:
- Hormonal changes: After childbirth, a woman’s hormone levels fluctuate, which can affect mood.
- Sleep deprivation: New mothers often experience sleep deprivation, which can lead to mood changes.
- Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, or lack of support from family and friends can contribute to postpartum depression.
Treatment options for postpartum depression may include:
- Antidepressant medication: Antidepressant medications can help alleviate the symptoms of postpartum depression by stabilizing the mood.
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy, can help a person identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
- Combination of both: A combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the most effective approach for treating postpartum depression. It can provide both short-term symptom relief and long-term management of depression symptoms.
6. Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is a type of depression that is characterized by hallucinations and delusions. The symptoms of psychotic depression may include persistent sadness, hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking, and difficulty functioning.
Psychotic depression is a severe form of depression that is characterized by symptoms of depression along with psychosis, which can include delusions and hallucinations. Here are some details on the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for psychotic depression:
Symptoms:
- persistent sadness
- hallucinations
- delusions
- disorganized thinking
- difficulty functioning
Causes:
- Genetic factors
- Environmental factors
- psychological factors
Treatment Options:
- Medication: Antidepressant medications can help alleviate the symptoms of psychotic depression by balancing the chemicals in the brain that affect mood and reducing the severity of psychosis.
- Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, specifically cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), can help a person identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours. Psychotherapy can also help with managing symptoms and reducing the risk of relapse.
- Combination of both: A combination of medication and psychotherapy may be the most effective approach for treating psychotic depression. It can provide both short-term symptom relief and long-term management of depression symptoms.
Conclusion
Depression and all its types are conditions that should be taken seriously, as they negatively and immensely affect a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. If this is new to us, then we must strive to understand the different types of depression and their symptoms, causes, and treatment options, in consideration of the people we love who might have these conditions.
Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, and psychotic depression are some of the different types of depression that can affect a person’s schooling, livelihood, relationships, and many other important aspects of their life, and in seeking help from a trained therapist, a significant and positive difference in their daily lives can be made possible.
Author Joanna Jeffers, M.A., C.Psych.
