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Many Types of Depression

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Not THAT kind of type!One of the annoying things about having depression is that the word “depression” is used fopr many different things. If you say you have depression, the person listening might think you mean one thing when you mean something else. Until we can shake up the language of depression a bit, we’re going to have to cross our fingers that people know about the types of depression.

Momentary Sadness

This is the least severe type of depression and does not need any medical treatment. It’s a very strong emotion that happens due to grief, shock, bad news or change in medication. There is a direct cause and when that cause changes, the depression goes away. This can last anywhere from an hour to a couple of months.

Clinical Depression

Now we get into nastier territory that does require medical treatment. Clinical depression has undergone some name changes over the years. Many doctors now refer to it as “major depression”. This is when feeling sad, hopeless and tired just does not go away. There are days that are worse than others, but for the most part you are on a perpetual downer. There does not have to be a direct cause to set the symptoms off.

Manic Depression (Bipolar Disorder)

Made famous by the Jimi Hendrix song and what people with clinical depression are often accussed of having. This is a very severe mental disorder that can be crippling to the sufferer. You go through two cycles — being manic and being depressed. The manic cycles are where you are so bursting with energy that the planet can’t hold you. You do very harmful things to yourself, your financies and your future. And then, you crash.

Seaonal Depressive Disorder

Known as SAD, appropritately enough, this is where you have the symptoms of clinical depression — but only during winter. You do need to see the doctor about this type of depression, too.

Post Partum Depression

What Tom Cruise claims doesn’t exist, but most certainly does. This happens to women after they’ve given birth. The good news is that we know more about post-partum depression than ever before and it does usually go away. You do still need to see a doctor about it, because it can be incredibly intense, even with thoughts of murdeing the baby.

There are many shades in between of these broad types of depression. For example, the clinical depression that I have is endogenous recurring depression. It means I’ve got the blues all of the time for no known reason.


8 Responses to “Many Types of Depression”

  1. Many Types of Depression : thegameoflove Says:

    [...] Original post by Rena Sherwood [...]

  2. Depression Talk » Blog Archive » How Long To Take Antidepressants Says:

    [...] is fear of becoming addicted to a certain prescription drug. So, when you are diagnosed as having a type of depression, how long can you expect to be taking [...]

  3. Depression Talk » Blog Archive » The Voices In Your Head Says:

    [...] us, but sometimes they do. You often can hear these voices from seemingly nowhere when you have any type of depression, whether it’s post partum depression or bipolar [...]

  4. Depression Talk » Blog Archive » Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Vs Depression Says:

    [...] Disorder Vs Depression by Rena Sherwood Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often mistaken for a type of depression. Granted, when I do research on OCD and how it differs from depression, my eyes tend to glaze over. [...]

  5. Depression Talk » Blog Archive » Is Depression Insanity? Says:

    [...] Being diagnosed with depression does not automatically mean that you are insane. Although all types of depression are considered mental illnesses, being mentally ill does not mean that you are insane. You’re [...]

  6. Depression Talk » Blog Archive » YouTube Clips of the Week: “Annie Hall” Says:

    [...] and quite a lot of other less flattering things, but there are scenes in it that people with any type of depression. They certainly show how nobody seems to have a clue as to what you are going through, even if they [...]

  7. Juan Molongo Says:

    This is an excellent post on the depression issue

  8. Gerard Beiklan Says:

    I personally feel that depression is a major issue that needs to be solved and rather quickly

Leave a Reply


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I have depression, and some days depression has me. Know that you are not alone in suffering from depression. This site helps you deal with and come to terms with your depression. This site should not be used as a substitution for your doctor's or therapist's advice.

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