Feeling blue at times is normal. Usually, it fades away with time, and you’re back to your old cheerful self. But with depression, that feeling of sadness doesn’t seem to go away, so much so that it begins to impact your daily life and impairs your ability to function. 

This is why it is important to treat depression early. Leaving it unaddressed could make the feeling worsen to an extent that you might give in to risky behaviors, such as self-harm or drug or alcohol abuse. Even if it doesn’t get that far, the symptoms of depression can impact your relationships, health, and career.

Understanding the different types of depression is the first step in knowing when to seek help. Each form has unique characteristics, and the earlier you identify it, the sooner you can find relief.

Symptoms of Depression

While depression manifests differently in each person, some common symptoms include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Fatigue or low energy
• Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
• Difficulty concentrating
• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
• Physical aches or pains without a clear cause
• Thoughts of death or self-harm

If these symptoms last for weeks and begin to impair your daily life, speak with your primary care physician to rule out any underlying health conditions. Then, speak to the therapists at the Institute for Personal Growth to receive the right treatment for different kinds of depression.

The Main Types of Depressive Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

This is also known as classic, unipolar, or clinical depression. It is marked by a persistent dark and negative mood. You might experience feelings of guilt, worthlessness, fatigue, and agitation or loss of interest in your favorite activities, difficulty in sleeping, and constant anxiety. Suicidal thoughts are also common.

If these symptoms last for more than two weeks, seek help. The condition could have been triggered by various external factors, such as abuse during childhood or medical conditions like cancer or steroids, but no matter where it stems from, you could benefit from the guidance of a depression therapist.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a distinct condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (manic depression). A person feels a sense of euphoria during the “high” phase, while the “low” phase has all the symptoms of depression, which can be quite overwhelming. Hopelessness, lethargy, unexplained pain, and irritability are also common signs of bipolar disorder. You may even feel empty, have a hard time making decisions, or sleep too little or too much. Delusions and hallucinations are also seen in those with this mood disorder.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

This is not a severe condition and usually occurs during late fall and winter. It is accompanied by minor symptoms like social withdrawal, sudden weight gain, and feelings of hopelessness. Winter blues mostly occur due to the lack of sunlight and the gloomy weather, which may disrupt your internal clock and lead to a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical that affects mood. The good news is that you start to feel better once spring or summer comes along. But here, too, therapy and medication can lead to rapid recovery.

Prenatal and Postnatal Depression (Perinatal Depression)

Many women experience the “baby blues” after childbirth, but for some, the symptoms are more severe and long-lasting. The term “perinatal depression” encompasses depression during pregnancy (prenatal) and after birth (postnatal or postpartum).

Prenatal depression occurs during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes in the body. Postnatal depression can emerge anytime within the first year after giving birth. It’s far more intense than the baby blues and can interfere with a mother’s ability to care for her baby and handle daily tasks. You might experience stress, worry, lack of enthusiasm around the new infant, or overwhelming fatigue.

Children born to perinatally depressed mothers are likely to have cognitive delays and a difficult temperament. So, don’t stop taking antidepressants or visiting your mental health professional.

Situational Depression

Also known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood, situational depression is a short-term, stress-related type of depression. It can develop after you experience a traumatic event or a series of significant life changes, such as a divorce, the death of a loved one, job loss, or a serious illness.

The symptoms of situational depression are similar to MDD but are a direct response to a specific situation and typically resolve as the individual adapts to the new circumstances or the stressor is removed. Therapy is highly effective in helping individuals develop coping mechanisms to manage stressors.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

PMDD is a severe and disabling extension of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). While many women experience PMS, PMDD is characterized by mood swings, irritability, depression, and anxiety in the week leading up to the onset of menses. These emotional symptoms are intense enough to cause significant distress and interfere with work, school, and relationships.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)

Children with DMDD experience severe, recurrent outbursts that are grossly out of proportion in intensity or duration to the situation. Between these outbursts, their mood is consistently angry or irritable for most of the day, nearly every day. This diagnosis was created to more accurately describe children with chronic irritability who may have previously been misdiagnosed with pediatric bipolar disorder.

Depressive Psychosis (Psychotic Depression)

This is a severe subtype of major depression where an individual experiences not only the standard symptoms of depression but also a form of psychosis. Psychosis involves a break with reality and can include hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there) or delusions (fixed, false beliefs).

The themes of the psychosis are often consistent with depressive feelings, such as delusions of guilt, poverty, or illness. Due to its severity, depressive psychosis should be treated as soon as possible by a licensed therapist.

Atypical Depression

Despite its name, atypical depression is not uncommon. A key sign of this type of depression is mood reactivity, where a person’s mood can temporarily brighten in response to positive events. Other distinguishing symptoms include:

• Significant weight gain or increased appetite
• Sleeping excessively (hypersomnia)
• A heavy, leaden feeling in the arms or legs
• Long-standing sensitivity to rejection, resulting in social and occupational impairment

Types of Therapy for Depression

The good news is that, no matter which type of depression you have, it is highly treatable. Some of the most common methods for treating depression include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This popular form of therapy helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression.
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on improving your relationships and social functioning to help reduce distress.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach explores how past experiences and unconscious thoughts may be influencing your current feelings and behaviors.
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): This therapy combines CBT with mindfulness practices, such as meditation, to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment, which is particularly effective for preventing relapse.

It’s also important to note that for many individuals, particularly those with moderate to severe depression, a combination of therapy and medication provides the most effective results. Antidepressant medications, prescribed by a psychiatrist or medical doctor, can help rebalance brain chemistry and alleviate symptoms. It can also make it easier for you to engage in and benefit from therapy.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

If you’re concerned you’re suffering from depression, it’s important to seek help right away. Our New Jersey licensed therapists are experienced in diagnosing and treating all forms of depression. We are also committed to creating a safe environment in each of our three offices in Jersey City, Highland Park, and Freehold, NJ, so that you can feel comfortable exploring your feelings and developing the skills needed to reclaim your life. 

So, don’t let depression define your story. Contact the Institute for Personal Growth today and find a treatment plan that works for you and your specific type of depression.