Depression comes in several forms and can be mild to severe — necessitating psychiatric care sometimes. It also can begin in childhood or adulthood and be directly affected by the seasons, such as with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) or following childbirth.
Follow today’s blog as we discuss the different types of depression and their effect on individuals.
Depression Statistics
The latest statistics on depression show that approximately 9.5 percent of American adults ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive disorder (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia), this year, according to John Hopkins Medicine. Some other statistics on depression include women who are nearly twice as likely to suffer from major depression than men. The average age of major depression is around the mid-20s, although it can develop in childhood.
Most people with depressive disorder and who commit suicide have a co-occurring disorder, such as a substance abuse disorder — with men committing suicide four times more than women. The average age for the development of bipolar disorder in Americans 18 and over is the early 20s, and it affects about 2.6 percent of people.
Type of Depression Disorders
There are six common types of depression recognized by the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). They are:
- Major depressive disorder – This is the most common type and lasts at least two weeks consecutively; it affects daily activities, including family life, work, social interaction, and going to school. The physical symptoms include a loss of interest or pleasure in your activities, weight loss or gain, being tired with reduced energy, feeling worthless or guilty, trouble sleeping or feeling sleepy in the daytime, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, and suicidal ideation.
- Persistent depressive disorder – Also known as dysthymia, the disorder is chronic as characterized by the occurrence of a depressed mood nearly always for at least two years for adults and one year for children and adolescents. It’s more an overall gloomy feeling that focuses on being quiet, pessimistic, and where nothing pleases you. The symptoms include a change in your appetite (overeating or not eating enough), low self-esteem, lack of energy or fatigue, sleeping too much or not enough, feeling hopeless, and trouble concentrating or making decisions.
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder – This disorder happens to women around a week before their menstrual period arrives. It comes with a host of symptoms that include anxiety, tension, poor concentration, difficulty falling asleep, mood swings, and social withdrawal, among others.
- Postpartum depression – After giving birth, some moms go through this type of depression, which usually happens after a drop in hormone levels. In its most severe form, women can experience hallucinations, believe irrational things, see or hear things others don’t. Mild symptoms include sadness, severe fatigue, and a lack of energy.
- Bipolar disorder – Although not categorized as depression, sufferers can experience cycles of depression, which symptoms mimic major depressive disorder. People with bipolar usually experience episodes of mania with increased energy and feelings of grandiosity and depressive symptoms. Irritable moods and sleep disruptions are common with bipolar disorder.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – During the winter months, when the sun is much less and the days shorter, some people go through a period of major depression. It typically leaves in spring and summer. You may feel lethargic, sleepy, irritable, or anxious. A SAD light usually helps (light therapy in which you sit in front of that emits UV for a period)
Have Depression? Call Ardu Recovery Center
Depression can result in significant mental, emotional, and physical effects, so if you or a loved one is struggling, please reach out to Ardu Recovery Center. Our friendly and supportive staff is here to aid in your recovery, with therapists, counselors, and nutritionists providing treatment to help manage and overcome your challenges with depression. Contact us for more information.
