Depression has been around as long as human history and has been noted in medical circles as far back as Ancient Greece. The disorder was known in the times of antiquity as “melancholia” a word derived from the combination of two Greek words melas, “black” and kholé, “bile.” The term was used even in the time of Freud, until Swiss psychiatrist, Adolph Meyer, proposed the condition be re-labeled “depression.” Throughout the 20th century, understanding of depression grew and now the medical community recognizes that there are many different forms of depression and they are delineated by severity, symptoms and cause.
Here are some of the most common types of depression:
Major Depression
This is the most common form of depression. Major depression can cause the sufferer to feel as if the weight of the world is on their shoulders. He or she will become disinterested in activities and relationships that were once very fulfilling parts of their life. Loss of appetite, weight loss, sexual activity and erectile dysfunction in men are also common problems associated with this condition. For some, major depression may creep into their lives slowly, for others a catastrophic event can bring upon its symptoms. Major depression can be a one-time life event or for others it can be a reoccurring disorder.
Dysthymic Disorder
People with dysthymic depression feel mildly depressed on a daily basis for two years or more. People who have dysthymic disorder will often report that they don’t recall ever not feeling depressed, but they may be relatively functional in managing their life, although the symptoms are severe enough to cause distress and interference with important life role responsibilities. Patients with dysthymic depression often respond well to psychotherapy and antidepressants.
Manic Depression
Also known as bipolar disorder, people with manic depression experience episodic mood swings from high periods or mania to low periods of depression. These chronic, episodic mood swings can result in suicide, relationship problems and substance abuse. May times, when a patient is in the manic phase of their cycle they will resist treatment because they feel great, but as the episode progresses the sufferer will begin to think grandiose thoughts, suffer from a lack of concentration and can spiral out of control.
Atypical Depression
Atypical depression differs from major depression because the sufferer can still experience moments of happiness and joy but do so under the impression that outside events control their emotional states. Symptoms of atypical depression include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. Atypical depression can last for months or become a chronic condition if not treated.
Depression, no matter what the type, is a serious health condition and can be treated and cured by consulting a doctor or a mental health professional. With over 60% of suicides linked to depression, choosing whether to get help for depression is a life-or-death decision.
