Types of depression

All depression types are not the same. Major depression, also known as clinical depression, and chronic depression, also known as dysthymia, are the most common types. However,  there are also other types of depression with unique signs, symptoms and treatment.

The NHS estimates that around one in ten people will experience depression at some point in their life.

Diagnosis

Two systems to classify mental illness are most widely used by doctors:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Based on all the known recorded symptoms linked to a particular mental health condition, based on answers given by a patient to their doctor.

International Classification of Diseases. Using this World Health Organisation system, your GP will ask you about your symptoms to classify your condition.

Using one of these two guidelines, your GP can usually diagnose depression, decide which type of depression you have, rule out other mental health conditions and decide on appropriate treatment.

What is major depression?

The Mental Health Foundation says major depression interferes with a person’s daily life: eating, sleeping and other everyday activities.

There are times you may feel sad, lonely, or hopeless for a few days. However, major depression - clinical depression - is disabling. It can prevent you from functioning normally. An episode of clinical depression may occur only once in a person's lifetime. More often, though, it recurs throughout a person's life.

In addition, with major depression, one of the symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest. The symptoms should be present daily, for most of the day, for at least two weeks. Also, the depressive symptoms must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning. The symptoms cannot be due to the direct effects of a substance - drug abuse, medications - or a medical condition, such as hypothyroidism, nor occur within two months of the loss of a loved one.

What is chronic mild depression or dysthymia?

Chronic mild depression, or dysthymia, is characterised by a long-term (two years or more) depressed mood. Chronic depression is less severe than major depression. The NHS says this is more common in over 55s and can be difficult to treat.

What is atypical depression?

The key symptoms of atypical depression include:

• Overeating
• Oversleeping
• Fatigue
• Extreme sensitivity to rejection
• Moods that worsen or improve in direct response to events
• Regular depression, on the other hand, tends to be marked by pervasive sadness.

What is bipolar disorder or manic depression?

Bipolar disorder, previously referred to as manic depression - is a complex mood disorder that alternates between periods of clinical depression and times of extreme elation or mania.

Depression and mania associated with bipolar disorder are:

• Depression: feeling very low
• Mania: felling very high.

How Is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) depression different from other types of depression?

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD, is a depression that occurs each year at the same time. It usually starts as days become shorter in the autumn and winter and improves in spring or early summer. It is sometimes known as 'winter depression'.