Therapist Blog

Depression is a common, but serious mental illness.

While people occasionally feel sad or “blue,” to be diagnosed with what is commonly known as depression — a form of mood disorder — is to have a persistent feeling of helplessness and/or hopelessness, worthlessness, and excessive guilt.  Other symptoms of depression include lack of energy, inability to concentrate, lack of appetite or overeating, inability to sleep (insomnia) or oversleeping (hypersomnia), lack of interest in activities that previously had been the source of pleasure (anhedonia), lack of energy, and thoughts of suicide.  Unlike regular sadness, depression can last for weeks and, for many, even years.

•  Not all depression are alike

There are different types of depression categorized based upon the symptoms’ severity and the amount of time the person has been suffering.  These different types of depression are:

Major Depressive Disorder:

Major Depressive Disorder or more commonly known as major depression is short term, but is debilitating.  The symptoms of major depression are present most of the day, almost everyday, for at least two weeks.  The symptoms of major depressive disorder are severe enough that often the person’s ability to function at home, school or work becomes impaired.

Some people may experience major depression only once in their lifetime and never repeat again.  However, for some, major depression is chronic interrupted only by periods when the symptoms are less severe (see Dysthymic Disorder below).

In children and adolescent, rather than sadness, major depression can present itself as general irritability.  Thus, major depression is often misdiagnosed in children and adolescents due to other psychological disturbance prevalent in this age group (e.g., ADD with or without Hyperactivity (better known as ADHD) and rebelliousness (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)).

It is suggested that significant changes in life circumstances play a role in the first and second occurrences of Major Depressive Disorder, e.g.,  death, divorce, violence, etc.  However, subsequent occurrences of major depression may depend less on external stressors.  It is estimated that up to 15% of people suffering from Major Depressive Disorder die by suicide annually.

Dysthymic Disorder:

Dysthymic Disorder, also called dysthymia, is a milder form of depression as compared to Major Depressive Disorder (major depression).  The symptoms of dysthymia may not be severe enough to prevent a person from daily activities at school, home and work.  Unlike Major Depression which is more short term, to be diagnosed with Dysthymic Disorder the person must be suffering from symptoms of depression for at least two years (one year if the person suffering is a child or adolescent).  Furthermore, unlike major depression where the symptoms are present for most of the day and almost all days for at least two weeks, people suffering from dysthymia may experience days when symptoms of depression are absent.

Just as in Major Depressive Disorder, symptoms of Dysthymic Disorder in children and adolescent can be irritability, rather than sadness.  Thus, Dysthymic Disorder, like major depression, is often misdiagnosed in children and adolescents due to other psychological disturbance prevalent in this age group (e.g., ADD with or without Hyperactivity (better known as ADHD) and rebelliousness (Oppositional Defiant Disorder)).

It is estimated that annually, 10% of individuals suffering from Dysthymic Disorder will experience their first episode of Major Depression.

Other forms of depression:

Postpartum Depression:

Postpartum Depression occurs within four weeks after childbirth.  Most of the symptoms of Postpartum Depression are the same as those of Major Depressive Disorder.  Those suffering from Postpartum Depression, however, may experience delusional thoughts about the infant sometimes with deadly results.  According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV-TR),

Infanticide is most often associated with postpartum psychotic episodes that are characterized by command hallucinations to kill the infant or delusions that the infant is possessed, but it [infanticide] can also occur in severe postpartum mood episodes without such specific delusions or hallucinations.”

Seasonal Depression:

Seasonal Depression, as the name implies, is major depression that is triggered by the season or depression that occurs at specific times of the year.   Usually, Seasonal Depression occur during the winter or rainy seasons.

Bipolar Disorder:

The different forms of Depression, as discussed above,  are members of a family of depression known as Unipolar Depression.  In Bipolar Disorder (commonly known as “manic depressive”) there are periods when the sufferer experiences depression and periods when the person’s mood is manic.  The topic of Bipolar Disorder will be the subject of the next article.

Conclusion

Depression is a common, but debilitating mental illness.  Depression in its varying forms (major depression, dysthymic, postpartum, and seasonal) can, at the least, incapacitate the person.  However, in extreme cases, depression can be harmful not only to the individual, but to those around the individual suffering from depression –  up to 15% of those with major depression commit suicide; and infants have died in the hands of their mothers as a result of their mothers suffering from postpartum depression.

It is perfectly normal to be sad every now and then.  What is not normal is when the sadness becomes the everyday norm.  In cases of depression, intervention from a mental health professional is necessary.  Two sites where you can find a psychotherapist or psychologist who can help you or a loved one overcome depression are http://clinicalpsychotherapists.com and http://modernfamilyliving.com.