Types of Depressive disorders

• Depression
• Major depressive episode
• Major depressive disorder
• Dysthymia - chronic and mild depression.
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Cyclothymia
• Postnatal depression

Types discussion:

Depression: NIMH (Excerpt)

Major depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms (see symptom list) that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

A less severe type of depression, dysthymia, involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good. Many people with dysthymia also experience major depressive episodes at some time in their lives.

Another type of depression is bipolar disorder, also called manic-depressive illness. Not nearly as prevalent as other forms of depressive disorders, bipolar disorder is characterized by cycling mood changes: severe highs (mania) and lows (depression). Sometimes the mood switches are dramatic and rapid, but most often they are gradual. When in the depressed cycle, an individual can have any or all of the symptoms of a depressive disorder. When in the manic cycle, the individual may be overactive, overtalkative, and have a great deal of energy. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. For example, the individual in a manic phase may feel elated, full of grand schemes that might range from unwise business decisions to romantic sprees. Mania, left untreated, may worsen to a psychotic state. (Source: excerpt from Depression: NIMH)

The Numbers Count: NIMH (Excerpt)

Depressive disorders encompass major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is included because people with this illness have depressive episodes as well as manic episodes. (Source: excerpt from The Numbers Count: NIMH)

Depressive disorders: Rare Types

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Depressive disorders: Related Disease Topics

More general medical disease topics related to Depressive disorders include:

• Mood disorders
• Mental illness
• Emotional disorders
• Psychological disorders
• Psychiatric disorders
• Behavioral disorders

Research More About Depressive disorders

• Depressive disorders: Introduction
• Symptoms: Depressive disorders
• Complications: Depressive disorders
• Causes: Depressive disorders
• Treatments: Depressive disorders

 » Next page: Prevalence of Types of Depressive disorders

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