Depression - Diagnosis and Types of 3 Depressive Disorders

Depressive disorders are a health related disease that involves the mind and human body. Depression or any major depressive disorder may be defined as clinical depression. Depression affects how you experience, think and respond. A depressive disorder can lead to an assortment of mental and physical problems. You may have problems doing normal day-to-day routines, and depression may make you feel as if living isn't worth living. Many people close to depressed individuals fail to recognize the severity and intensity that one's depressive state can bring.

There tend to be numerous distinct types of depression. Usually they are recognized by way of their commonplace characteristics, length and degree of signs and symptoms. The majority of these types of varieties of depression are defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), an American Psychiatric Association publication which identifies the standard criteria for different types of psychiatric disorders.

Below are the 3 major types of Depressive Disorders

Major Depression- This type of depression is also known as a major depressive disorder. The occurrence occurs with signs or symptoms which continue for most of the day, practically just about every day for at minimum two weeks. A major indicator is depressed feelings and/or a noticeable decline in interest or enjoyment in all or most activities.

One looking for signs to confirm diagnosis should look for 4 more symptoms.

• difficulty sleeping or increase in sleeping

• fatigue or loss of energy

• difficulty concentrating and making decisions

• thoughts of death or suicide

• feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and low self-esteem

Dysthymia - This depressive disorder is also known as Dysthymic Disorder. An individual exhibiting signs of this disorder will have a consistent depressed mood for at least two years. This disorder is a chronic condition characterized by depressive symptoms that occur for most of the day, more days than not, for at least 2 years. It is similar to Major Depression but not as severe. Often, the disorder will progress to Major Depression. Look for some of these signs below.

• Change in eating habits, normally a decrease or increase in eating

• Change in sleeping habits such as increased or decreased sleeping.

• Self esteem which has been lowered accompanied by feelings of hopelessness.

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

Manic Depression - This kind of depression is a serious bipolar disorder where the individual feelings revolve around mania (excitement) and depression. Sometimes the person may manifest their feelings entirely in one mood. At other times, the feelings cycle between manic and depressive states. Sometimes the person has delusional thoughts. Look for 3 or 4 of these symptoms below.

• More extroverted than usual or excited and more talkative

• Reduction in sleeping

• Increased self-esteem or self-importance

• More distracted or less focused

• Engagement in behavior that is pleasurable to the individual but considered risky for normal behavior (over spending, over eating, gambling)