There is a lot of similarity in clinical depression symptoms for various types of depressive disorders, and the most frequently seen characteristic of depressive episodes is a feeling of listlessness and lethargy.
Even though symptoms of clinical depression might be shared across various depression types, their cause, intensity, and treatment options can vary significantly. The correct diagnosis for what type of depression you have is, therefore, vital in deciding the right treatment for you.
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and mental health condition resulting in intense changes in mood, energy levels, thinking patterns, and behavior. This depression type affects approximately 5.7 million adult Americans, or about 2.8% of the U.S. population, annually. The condition was previously known as manic depression.
Interestingly, depression therapy for Bipolar disorder may be different because this condition does not respond to the same medications used for other types of major depressive disorders. Some medications may actually exacerbate symptoms for this type of depression. Therefore, a close connection with your provider who can holistically assess your symptoms, provide support with additional therapies and treatments, and fine-tune a treatment plan can be very beneficial for this type of depression to ensure that the patient is not misdiagnosed. It is very common for our providers to see patients with Bipolar disorder on the wrong meds because a mental health specialist did not diagnose the condition. Many other patients are misdiagnosed at Bipolar simply because their doctor weren't aware of the subtle differences between depression types. Although bipolar disorder is a lifelong condition, you can manage your mood swings and other symptoms by following a treatment plan.
Depression types that affect women like Postpartum depression (PPD) and even Premenstrual Depressive Disorder (PMDD) are brought on by a complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur after pregnancy or hormonal changes. PPD is a form of major depression that may be seen in pregnant women within four weeks of giving birth.
PPD can be treated using medication and talk therapy, or with a non-pharmacological treatment called TMS. TMS is a 6-10 week treatment depending on the number of times a week you want to come. Each appointment is 30 minutes long. The benefits of a non-pharmacological approach is the ability to continue nursing and many patients are able to reduce or eliminate the need for SSRI's after TMS treatment. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, you can bring your baby to TMS treatment to minimize the disruption to your infant and give you a daily break. If you have postpartum depression, timely treatment is essential to help you manage your symptoms and help you bond with your baby.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a depression type triggered by seasonal change, typically starting in the fall and stretching through the winter months. The American Psychiatric Association has officially classified SAD as a major depressive disorder with seasonal patterns.
SAD may also be referred to as seasonal depression. About 5% of adults in the US experience seasonal depression and it tends to affect women four times more than men. At Axis Integrated Mental Health, we approach depressive disorders with a holistic approach to help you feel like yourself again. This can include nutritional psychiatry, med adjustments during the winter months, or lifestyle changes and other adjuncts.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD) or "High Functioning Depression" is mild or moderate depression that is chronic in nature and lasts for years. If you have PDD, you may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness.
With PDD, these feelings last for years and may interfere with your relationships, school, work, and daily activities. It is long-term depression in which a person's moods remain continuously low without any breaks.
Although easier to treat than Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the low recognition of PDD and the length of time a person endures PDD makes its impact on a person's life more damaging. If left untreated, PDD can easily become MDD and be harder and more complicated to treat.
Persistent depressive disorder has also been called dysthymia and chronic major depression.
Our team at Axis Integrated Mental Health can answer all your questions about depression types and allay any fears you might have about managing your depression symptoms.
Axis Integrated Mental Health provides a full suite of integrated mental health treatments under one roof. For appointments, call us at (720) 400-7025 or fill out our contact us form today.
