Types of Depression
Reactive
- may be the result of something traumatic that happens, or a series of problems which cause stress levels to rise
- after the source of stress has been dealt with, the depression soon lifts
- natural reaction to losses in life
- sadness, lethargy, despair, anger, insomnia, poor appetite, or weight gain
- people eventually recover
Mild/Dysthymia
- more longstanding, comes on gradually
- often due to ongoing difficulties in coping with stress and low self-esteem
- overly aware of their mistakes and weaknesses and frequently put themselves down
- can still function but “sad sacks”
- consider themselves losers
- helpless and pessimistic
- usual treatment is counselling
Endogenous/Major
- involves biochemical changes in the brain
- no obvious triggers, comes out of the blue
- hopelessness, despair, worthlessness, guilt and a sense that the mood will never lift
- physical symptoms – loss of appetite, extreme agitation, slowing down of thoughts and bodily movements, loss of interest is sexual activities
- can last months, years
- most common in 50’s and 60’s, but can occur at any age
- suicidal thoughts
- sleep problems, difficulty concentrating
- treatment – anti-depressants, ECT
Bipolar (Manic-Depressive)
- major depressive episodes alternating with high energy periods of wildly unrealistic activity
- develops without any clear cause
Post-Partum Depression
- 10-15% of new mums become clinically depressed
- 2/3 develop transient sadness
- enormous hormonal changes and challenges of dealing with baby
- 1 in 1000 become hospitalized
