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Exploring the Different Types of Depressive Disorders


Exploring the Different Types of Depressive Disorders


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While it's normal to feel sad occasionally, if you do so frequently and it starts to affect your daily activities, you may be experiencing clinical depression. It's a condition that you can manage with medication, just therapy sessions, and lifestyle adjustments might be enough. Depression can take many different forms. Some are brought on by life events, while others are brought on by chemical changes occurring in the brain.

The first thing you should do is discuss your concerns with your doctor, regardless of the source. They might advise you to consult a mental health expert in order to identify the type of depression you are going through. Your doctor will use this diagnosis to choose the best course of treatment. See support from the Best psychologist in India.


What is depression?

Depression is usually a medical condition which is followed by affected mood and inability to function properly in your day to day life. Feeling depressed can involve sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness. Additionally, the condition may make it difficult to think or remember, eat, and sleep. You must experience these feelings on a daily basis for at least two weeks in order to be diagnosed with severe depressive disorder or clinical depression, which also includes other symptoms such trouble sleeping, a lack of interest in activities, or changes in eating habits.

Depression may worsen and last longer when it is left untreated. In extreme cases, it may result in death or self-harm. Fortunately, treatment or therapies can significantly reduce the severity of depressive symptoms. 


Types of depressive disorder

Depression has an impact on how you feel, think, and act, which can make it difficult for you to function and go about your regular activities. Depression has a wide range of reasons, some of which we still don't properly understand. The following are some of the more prevalent kinds of depression.


Major depressive disorder (MDD)

Major depressive disorder is typically meant when individuals use the term "clinical depression" (MDD). A mood disorder called major depressive disorder has several distinctive features, including:

  • Feeling down

  • Loss of interest in activities which you used to enjoy earlier

  • Alterations in weight

  • Sleep changes Fatigue

  • Feelings of guilt and shame 

  • Feeling of worthlessness

  • Difficulty paying attention

  • Suicidal and death-related ideas

For the diagnosis of MDD a person must have experienced these symptoms for at least a period of two weeks or might be more than that.


Persistent depressive disorder

Dysthymia which is now referred to as persistent depressive disorder, is a form of chronic depression that has now persisted for at least a period of two years. It can range from mild to severe. There may be short periods when a person does not feel depressed, but this symptom relief only lasts two months or less. Although the symptoms of PDD are persistent and widespread, they are not so severe as those of MDD. The symptoms of PDD include the following:

  • Moods of sadness

  • Loss of enjoyment and interest

  • Irritability

  • Anger 

  • Feelings of guilt

  • Low self-esteem

  • Inability to fall or keep asleep

  • Getting too much

  • Fatigue and insufficient energy

  • Alterations in appetite

  • Difficulty concentrating


Bipolar disorder

Manic episodes, often known as mania, are a feature of bipolar illness which is a mental health condition. These episodes can range from moderate (hypomania) to severe enough to significantly disrupt a person's life, necessitate hospitalization, or interfere with their perception of reality. The majority of people with bipolar disorder also experience significant depressive episodes. People with depression frequently experience a variety of physical and emotional symptoms, which may include a sad mood and noticeably decreased interest in activities. You can take help from a professional therapist by searching for the Best psychologist delhi.

  • Fatigue

  • Sleeplessness, and exhaustion

  • Some pains which have no particular reasons to be explained for

  • Hopelessness

  • Low self-esteem

  • Irritation and worry

  • Indecisiveness and disorganization

The risk of suicide is 15 times more in bipolar disorder with an inclusion of psychosis (delusions and hallucinations) which can occur in some extreme and severe cases.

Post Partum Depression (PPD)

A woman's mood can often be affected by the significant hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy. Depression may start during pregnancy or soon after a child is born. There is more to postpartum depression (PPD), also known as depression with peripartum onset, than merely the "baby blues." It's possible that the symptoms last for two weeks. It is advisable to take professional help from a Counseling psychologist or Therapist in delhi. The symptoms include the following:

  • Low mood, depressive emotions

  • Extreme mood changes

  • Social isolation

  • Not able to form a bond with child

  • The appetite shifts

  • Having no hope and feeling helpless.

  • Loss of interest in activities which they used to enjoy earlier

  • Feeling unworthy or insufficient

  • Panic and anxiety attacks

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • There are thoughts that you want to harm your baby

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, is characterized by depression, drowsiness, and weight gain throughout the winter while feeling completely normal in the spring. Any seasonal difference in the night/day pattern can produce a disruption, which can contribute to depression. This rhythm is influenced by the light coming through the eyes.

SAD is more prevalent in the planet's extreme north or south, and it is frequently treated with light treatment to make up for the periodic lack of daylight. 

Additionally, you may schedule an appointment with the top professional psychologists and receive Mental health counseling at the Psychowellness Centre, which has many locations in Delhi NCR, NOIDA, Faridabad, Janakpuri, Dwarka, and Vasant Vihar.

Contribution: Dr (Prof) R K Suri, Clinical Psychologist, life coach & mentor TalktoAngel & Dr. Sakshi Kochhar, Psychologist.