There are different types of depression that we may encounter in everyday life. However, differentiating between depression and sadness is not always easy. In short, feeling sad from time to time is perfectly normal. After all, it’s a typical emotional reaction common to all human beings. It’s simple: we’ve all experienced it at some time and we’ll probably experience it again in the future.

However, when this feeling starts to affect our thinking, emotions, perceptions and behaviours in a pervasive and chronic way, that’s usually when we talk about “depression”. When we’re depressed, everything saddens us. And that’s a real drag on our ability to enjoy life to the full.

The different types of mild to moderate depression

The term “depression” is now widely used to describe an emotional state characterized by extreme sadness. However, the subject is more nuanced than popular usage suggests. Indeed, there are different types of depression, and each manifests itself in its own distinct way. Likewise, they can affect our lives in many different ways. As a general rule, they can be classified on the basis of three factors. These are:

The symptoms experienced by the patient;
The severity of the discomfort;
The frequency with which they occur.
According to these, there are 3 categories:

Mild;
Moderate;
Severe.

The various forms of mild to moderate depression generally go unnoticed. And for good reason: the symptoms often resemble normal emotional reactions. These two adjectives are used because the disorder causes little – if any – paralysis in the daily lives of sufferers. In this case, the mood swings experienced may even help them avoid falling into a serious pathology. Most of the time, sufferers develop feelings of despair, self-loathing, a desire to be left alone or negative thoughts.

This is when they become irritable and experience an unusual, but chronic, sense of fatigue. Some may also have difficulty concentrating, or feel demotivated in their lives in general. Sleep patterns may change, and appetite may decrease or increase. The various types of mild to moderate depression can also encourage the use of tobacco, alcohol, drugs or other stimulants. Among the most common are :

Dysthymia;
Seasonal depression.

Dysthymia

Dysthymia, or dysthymic disorder, is more of a mood disorder. It can, however, be categorized among the various types of mild depression, since it also involves a depressive spectrum. It often manifests itself as a loss of interest in normal, everyday activities. It is then accompanied by low self-esteem, lack of appetite and energy, sleep disturbances and reduced concentration. The term comes from the Greek δυσθυμία, meaning “melancholy”. To qualify as dysthymia, however, it’s important to make sure that it’s not just a temporary dip in mood. Patients often suffer for at least two years. Psychotherapy and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be effective treatments for dysthymia.

Seasonal depression

Generally speaking, SAD emerges as the days get shorter in autumn and winter. Specialists suggest that the depressive moods we experience during these seasons are actually the result of alterations in the natural rhythm to which our bodies have become accustomed. Some have also established a link with reduced sunlight. Sunlight plays a major role in the functioning of our biological clock. It also influences our body’s response to chemical messengers such as serotonin and melatonin. There are generally two different types of SAD:

Autumn Depression;
Winter depression.

The different types of severe depression

The symptoms of the various forms of severe depression are quite similar to those of the mild or moderate form. The only difference is that these symptoms are more severe, and above all, more visible. Not only for the patient, but also for those close to him or her. On average, depressive episodes last six months or more. Sometimes they disappear without any intervention after a while. But if they do, they are also likely to become more recurrent. That’s why medical diagnosis is particularly crucial here. If you suspect that you or a loved one may be a victim, it’s probably a good idea to make an appointment with a qualified mental health professional.

In any case, the different types of severe depression include (but are not limited to) the following.

BIPOLAR DEPRESSION
Bipolar” refers to a state oscillating between depression and mania. An average person’s life is made up of ups and downs. For those suffering from bipolar disorder, however, these peaks are more extreme. What’s special about this mental illness is that it’s relatively easy to diagnose. In fact, it causes severe changes in mood, energy, thinking and behavior. These psychotic episodes are so intense that they can interfere with professional, academic and even interpersonal life. More than a simple flip-flop between good and bad moods, bipolar disorder cycles last for days, weeks or even months without treatment.

DEEP DEPRESSION
Deep depression is one of several types of unipolar depression. It is characterized by a persistent feeling of sadness or lack of interest in external stimuli. Unlike the previous mental illness, deep depression focuses solely on the “lows” or negative emotions and symptoms. These eventually isolate the victim completely. It can also be referred to as a nervous breakdown.

ATYPICAL DEPRESSION
Atypical depression differs from other types of depression in that symptoms may be similar to the latter, but a temporary improvement in mood may be observed. This occurs in response to actual or potential positive events. This is known as “mood reactivity”. This makes diagnosis difficult, but essential, since the risk of suicide is particularly high.

The different types of reactive depression

Let’s finish with the different types of reactive depression. Again, almost anyone can sometimes feel extremely tired and sad. But when despair becomes continuous, it can lead to chronic depression. This is a serious illness/disorder that really deserves treatment. Talking to your doctor can be a good place to start. Generally speaking, this condition is caused by a particularly troubling or difficult event in our lives. It can also be caused by an accumulation of psychic tension that ends up overwhelming us.

The most common forms we encounter are :

Depression caused by the shock of a break-up;
Perinatal depression. This includes prenatal depression (before the baby’s birth) and postpartum or postnatal depression;
Professional depression – commonly known as burn-out;
And depression due to illness (this can be a physical handicap or some other pathology, such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, mononucleosis, anorexia, etc.).