* Major depression, which is characterized by a set of symptoms that affect a person's work, sleep, eating habits, and interest in activities he or she once enjoyed. (For a list of symptoms, please see "How is depression diagnosed?") To receive a diagnosis of major depression, a person must have several of these symptoms on most days for at least two weeks.

Episodes of major depression can last for six months or more. Not everyone with major depression has the same symptoms, nor do their symptoms have the same severity or duration. People with major depression may have just one episode of the illness, but more often the symptoms return several times during their lifetime.

* Dysthymia is a low-intensity mood disorder characterized by similar but less severe symptoms than major depression, but the condition is longer-lasting (the symptoms must be present for two years to receive the diagnosis). While not totally disabling, they make it difficult for a person to feel good or function normally. Many people who have dysthymia also have periods of major depression.

* Bipolar disorder, which is sometimes called manic-depressive illness, is much less common than other types of depressive disorders. It is marked by cycles of intense highs, called manias, followed by intense lows, or depressions.

While the exact causes of depression are unknown, several factors appear to affect its onset:

* Biochemistry: Nerve cells in the brain send and receive messages that control your emotions and feelings as well as all the other complex functions of your body. Chemicals called neurotransmitters help disseminate these messages.

Scientists believe that symptoms of depression occur when some of these neurotransmitters, including serotonin and norepinephrene, are not delivered correctly, causing a chemical imbalance. People with depression often have either too much or too little serotonin or norepinephrene.

* Genetics: A family history of depressive disorder puts people at greater risk of developing the illness. But depression also strikes people who have no family members with the illness. Depression that results from a person's biology or genetic inheritance is sometimes referred to as endogenous depression.

* Personality: People who are pessimistic, have low self-esteem or have low tolerance for stress are more likely to develop depression.

* Difficult life situations: Depression may be more likely in people who are facing problems in their lives, such as abuse, violence or poverty. Difficult times, such as divorce, the death of a loved one, financial problems or moving from your home can also contribute to depression. Depression that results from such situations is sometimes referred to as reactive depression.

* Other illnesses: People who have certain other medical conditions are more likely to develop depression. These conditions include cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and hormonal disorders.

Types of Depression

Depression is probably the most common psychological disorder and the one that receives the most attention. Lately, we hear about millions of Americans being treated with Prozac and a multitude of other antidepressants. Everybody seems to know someone who is depressed whether a family member, a close friend or a co-worker.

Depression makes a person feel sad, hopeless, worthless, pessimistic and guilty. Often the sufferer has difficulty concentrating and making decisions, has a loss of appetite and weight or a weight gain, has difficulty sleeping, has a lack of energy and sometimes physical symptoms such as slow movement and speech. Depression must be taken seriously because of the high rate of suicide associated with it.

Many people are not aware of the many types of depression besides what is termed unipolar depression where the sufferer feels melancholic and never feels any highs. A brief description of some types of depression are discussed below.

Major Depression:

Major depression is probably one of the most common forms of depression. You probably know a handful of people who suffer from it. The sufferer seems to walk around with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders. He or she seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state. There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite and a weight loss.
Atypical Depression:

Atypical depression is a variation of depression that is slightly different from major depression. The sufferer is sometimes able to experience happiness and moments of elation. Symptoms of atypical depression include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. People who suffer from atypical depression believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise). Episodes of atypical depression can last for months or a sufferer may live with it forever.

Psychotic Depression:

Sufferers of psychotic depression begin to hear and see imaginary things - - sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist. These are referred to as hallucinations, which are generally more common with someone suffering from schizophrenia. The hallucinations are not "positive" like they are with a manic depressive. The sufferer of psychotic depression imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

Dysthymia:

Many people just walk around seeming depressed - - simply sad, blue or melancholic. They have been this way all of their lives. This is dysthymia - - a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives.

Medication is beneficial for this type of depression.

Manic Depression:

Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide. Also known as Bipolar depression

Unspecified Depression

This category is used to help researchers who are studying other specific types of depression, and do not want their data confounded with marginal diagnoses. It includes people with a serious depression, but not quite severe enough to have a diagnosis of a major depression. It also includes people with chronic, moderate depression, which has not been present long enough for a diagnosis of a Dysthymic disorder.

Adjustment Disorder, with Depression

This category describes depression that occurs in response to a major life stressor or crisis. This is also called a "reactive depression." The diagnosis of an adjustment disorder implies that specific psychological symptoms have developed in response to a specific and identifiable psychosocial stressor. However, this diagnostic group (adjustment disorders) is a "last resort" category.

If the symptom picture suggests that the person meets the diagnostic criteria for another psychological disorder, than this diagnosis is not used. For example, if a person experiences a trauma, and develops the symptoms of a major depression, then the diagnosis of adjustment disorder is not used, even though the depression developed in response to a psychosocial stressor. So, adjustment disorder with depression is used to categorize mild to moderate depression, following a stressful event.

Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder is a recurrent illness that involves long-term, drastic changes in mood. A person with bipolar disorder experiences alternating highs (mania) and lows (depression). A manic period can be brief, lasting from three to 14 days, or longer, lasting up to several weeks. The depressive periods may also last from days to weeks or even six to nine months. The periods of mania and depression range from person to person many people may only experience very brief periods of these intense moods, and may not even be aware that they have bipolar disorder.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

This condition is experienced by approximately four percent of menstruating women. Different from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), women who suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)have more severe symptoms of deep depression or irritability for a week or two prior to or during menstruation.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a subtype of depression. Research suggests that SAD arises from some people's sensitivity to seasonal changes in the amount of available daylight.

People sometimes react emotionally to changes in the amount of daylight available. For example, with less sunlight in the winter, some individuals become depressed, sad and irritable. They want to sleep a lot and eat constantly. When spring arrives with more daylight hours, their mood enhances; they feel better and start getting their energy back.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum Depression is thought to be a form of major depression. This is due to the similarity of symptoms in the two conditions. About 10 percent of new mothers develop postpartum depression. It is most common in women who have already experienced some form of depressive illness. Most women suffer from a down feeling the first few days after giving birth. However, those with postpartum depression experience symptoms that are more prolonged, severe, and disabling. If not treated, postpartum depression can last for months or years.

Best Wishes and Lot's of Love,

Arthur Buchanan

Out of Darkness & Into the Light
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Bellevue, Ohio44811

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