If you seek treatment for depression, your therapist will likely classify your diagnoses based on what your symptoms are, how severe they are, how long they last, and possibly what the cause might be. Many times the symptoms of depression are associated with other illnesses such as alcohol or drug abuse, eating disorders, endometriosis, and anxiety disorders.

• Major depression: Considered the most serious type of depression, people who suffer from it have a greater number and severity of symptoms than people with minor types. One sign that therapists look for when diagnosing major depression is how it is affecting your daily life. If they are losing or have lost interest in doing things they used to do normally, chances are good that they are suffering from it.

• Dysthymia – This is a less severe form of depression. Many of his patients go through life feeling sad, blue, or just don’t seem to be enjoying their lives. These feelings are mild compared to those who have major depression, but people who suffer from dysthymia are more susceptible to becoming victims of major depression.

• Bipolar depression: Also known as manic depression or bipolar disorder, it is characterized by large high and low mood swings. These mood swings can happen suddenly for no apparent reason. These mood swings are thought to be caused by an imbalance in brain chemistry and can usually be successfully treated with medication.

• Atypical Depression – This form of depression is interspersed with periods of happiness and feeling good. These happy episodes are usually related to a positive event in the person’s life.

• Postpartum depression: About 10% of new mothers experience some form of depression after giving birth. It is most often related to sudden changes in hormone levels after delivery and the symptoms go away as the new mother’s hormone levels return to normal. Women who suffered from depression before giving birth are more likely to experience the postpartum version.

• Psychotic depression: This is an extreme form of major depression. Symptoms, including major ones, include auditory hallucinations (hearing voices), visual hallucinations, and delusional thoughts. These hallucinations and delusions are frightening and negative and make the patient dangerous not only to himself but also to others.

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Also known as the “Winter Blues,” this is a form of depression that occurs during certain times of the year. In this case, it usually occurs during the winter months with the worst depressive symptoms during the middle of winter. Most research indicates that it is related to the amount of bright light a person is exposed to, which causes changes in brain chemistry.

Depression is the most discussed and well-known psychological disease. Television commercials are full of advertisements for medications that can help, and almost everyone knows someone who suffers from its effects. If you think you or someone you know has it, it’s important that you seek some form of medical help. With a proper diagnosis, all forms of depression can be treated and your patients can return to a normal life.