What Are the Types of Depression?

Questions About Treatment?

Our knowledgeable team is ready to discuss your situation and options. Your call is confidential with no obligation required.

CALL US NOW

What Depression Does to the Brain?

Depression can affect the brain in many ways. Common ways that depression affects the brain include:

• Brain Inflammation: Studies have shown that brain inflammation is usually present in those who struggle with major depressive disorder. Brain inflammation can hurt or kill brain cells, cause thinking problems, and can speed up brain aging.
• Brain Size: Studies have shown that the brain may actually shrink in some cases, and it may lose gray matter volume. Gray matter volume is important for controlling movement, memory, and emotions.
• Hippocampus: The hippocampus in the brain may lose gray matter volume with ongoing depression. Gray matter loss in the hippocampus can lead to increased stress and problems with learning and memory.
• Prefrontal Cortex: Depression can also impact the prefrontal cortex, which can lead to negative impacts on higher-level thinking and planning abilities.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is generally classified as a type of depression that has severe depression symptoms. These severe symptoms have to persist for at least two months in order for it to be classified as MDD. While major depressive disorder is serious and can greatly affect someone’s life and well-being, there are many treatment options that can help.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that involves mood swings that go from high to low. These are often referred to as manic and depressive mood swings. Manic episodes can cause an abnormally elevated mood, irritability, energy, or activity level. Manic episodes are often followed by depressive episodes which make someone feel very low, tired, or have a loss of interest in most activities.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

Persistent depressive disorder is another subtype of major depression. PDD is characterized by experiencing major depressive symptoms for two years or more. PDD is serious, but it can be treated and managed with the right treatment program.

Postpartum Depression (PPD)

Postpartum depression occurs in women after they have given birth. Common signs of PPD are mood swings, anxiety, sadness, irritability, and feeling overwhelmed. Most symptoms generally last a week or two after giving birth but can persist for much longer. If you or a loved one are experiencing signs of PPD, you should contact your doctor and they can give you resources that will help you during this time.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Seasonal affective disorder is characterized by depressive symptoms and feeling low during specific seasons or times of the year. Usually, people with SAD will experience it the most during the fall and winter and will see their depression improve during the spring and summer, although this isn’t always the case. There are treatment options that can help manage seasonal depression when it occurs.

Major Causes and Risk Factors

Depression can be caused by several different factors. Understanding the root cause of depression can help professionals provide the best level of care for clients. Common causes of depression are:

• Genetics
• Personality type
• Abuse
• Conflict
• Genetics
• Death or loss
• Medications

How Depression is Diagnosed

If you are seeking depression treatment, the first step will likely be an official diagnosis from a medical professional. Depression can be diagnosed in different ways, but some of the most common ways of diagnosis include: