How to Identify the Types of Depression

Depression has perhaps been the most widely used term to describe feelings of being down and out or deep sadness. Many times, when one experiences something that is very distressing one usually associates that accompanying emotions as part of depression. Perhaps it is not really incorrect to say that depression is one often overused word.

In normal everyday language, it is perfectly understandable to claim that you are depressed over something, but in psychology, depression is something more serious that just feeling blue. It is perfectly normal to be sad over things and occasionally feel down and discouraged, but if these feelings are so intensely persistent to the extent of even sometimes interfering with your usual habits, with your interactions with others or with how you deal with life issues, then you may be suffering from what is technically known as depression.

Just knowing however, that you have depression doesn't just end there. It also becomes pertinent to determine what kind of depression you are going through for proper intervention. There are many different kinds of depression, but given below are some of the most common kinds.

Major Depression

This is perhaps the most dangerous and critical kind. Major Depressive episodes are not continuous, but continual. Although an episode may last for at least two weeks, other episodes may follow at a different time. This kind of depression may develop if an individual is unable to cope or overcome the normal sadness experienced in real life situations. A person for example who has lost a loved one but is unable to accept the loss even after a reasonable period of time and sinks into episodes of depression may have developed Major Depression. This is a dangerous condition since it may lead to attempts at suicide. Suicidal teens have at times expressed that they want to die because of the depression they feel over something or over life in general.

Dysthymia