Types of depression
1. Major Depression
This is the most serious type of depression in terms of the number of symptoms experienced and the severity. It can result from a traumatic event in your life or can be the result of an accumulation of different stressors. Not everyone who presents with depression has necessarily experienced trauma.
2. Dysthymic Depression
This is a chronic depression, but it is on a low to moderate level that persists for at least two years or longer. The symptoms are not as severe as with the Major Depression but they are more persistent and more resistant to treatment.
3. Unspecified Depression
This type of depression does not fit the category for Major or for Dysthymic Dapression. In other words it may not be severe enough or may not have been present long enough to fit those categories, but may nevertheless warrant diagnosis and treatment.
4. Adjustment Disorder with Depression
This refers to a depressed reaction to a major life stressor, such as loss.
5. Bipolar Disorder
This is where the individual experiences mild to extreme high and low mood swings. It was previously referred to as manic-depression. This type of depression often results in problems like alcohol and drug abuse, relationship break ups, and suicide.
What are the symptoms?
The way depression manifests varies from person to person. Some may seem very irritable, while others may seem very tearful. Generally the following symptoms comprise depression:
- persistent feelings of sadness
- decreased pleasure or interest in usual activities or hobbies
- loss of energy or fatigue
- change in appetite
- change in sleeping patterns
- change in sex drive
- restlessness
- decreased ability to concentrate
- feelings of worthlessness
- thoughts of suicide or death
Treating depression
Depression is not something you can just “snap out” of. It is a serious medical condition and needs to be treated. Psychotherapy is an effective way to treat depression, and can in some instances be successfully combined with medication. Psychotherapy assists you to understand what depression is, how it affects you, and what causes it. There are different psychotherapeutic treatment approaches to treat depression:
1. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
This can help you to identify and change the thought and behaviour patterns that contribute to the depression, and to identify and modify negative thought patterns.
2. Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
This treatment approach is effective when depression is connected to troubled relationships.
3. Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
This approach links depression to traumas and conflicts earlier in your life and facilitates insight and healing.
Hypnosis can (but need not necessarily) be used in combination with either of these treatment approaches.