Depression exists on a continuum of severity, ranging from relatively mild, transient states of low mood to severe, long term symptoms that have a major impact on a person’s quality of life. When a person’s symptoms have reached the chronic end of the spectrum and require professional treatment, it's typically referred to as clinical depression.
Although depression can take on many forms and may be categorized in several different ways, there are two primary types of clinical depression, major depressive disorder and the depressive phase of bipolar disorder.
Symptoms
People experience depression in different ways. Some people only have a few symptoms, while others have many. Some symptoms might get better over time while others may get worse.
It’s important to work with your mental health care team to identify which depression symptoms you experience and determine the best approach to treating them. For each type of clinical depression, as well as the various subtypes, there are some symptoms or features that are common in those who experience it.
Major Depression
Also known as major depressive disorder or unipolar depression, this form is what most people think of when they hear “depression.” Major depression is typically characterized by the following symptoms:
- Sadness, feelings of emptiness
- Loss of enjoyment of hobbies, work, other activities
- Appetite changes, weight loss or gain
- Trouble sleeping (too much or too little)
- Feeling "slowed down" or being excessively agitated
- Tiredness, fatigue, lack of energy
- Physical symptoms and pain (such as body aches, stomach upset, headaches)
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Problems with concentration or focus
- Inability to make decisions or poor decision-making
- Thinking about death or dying; planning or attempting suicide
Reviewed by Fimshospitals
on
July 17, 2022
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