Types and Symptoms of Depression

Categorization of depression has always been a cumbersome task for the socio-psychologists. Depression is a highly variable term depending upon numerous factors. In this situation any pinpoint classification for depression is nearly impossible. Hence depression is broadly classified in three major forms that primarily depend upon the duration and severity of it. These are:

Major depression: This type of depression lasts for a shorter period but it is more severe; people in this stage are most prone to suicide or other self-punitive actions. This form is the major concern for doctors as it is can lead to dangerous consequences. Sadness is often accompanied by prolonged and continuous problems in other spheres of life. The routine activities like sleep, sex, food etc get overwhelmingly affected. The perception towards life is negative and feelings of self-rejection worthlessness and incompetence crop up. The goals of life seem to be unreal and unachievable. Depression may jeopardize the processes of self-actualization and self-perception. The vitality of life is lost and the whole surrounding may appear hostile. A great degree of stagnation is recognized and inferiority complex tends to grow up within the individual. The person may feel unattractive, despondent, morose and unsuccessful. Due to its high incidence, many psychologists have developed their propensity to study major depression comprehensively.

Dysthymia: Dysthymia is a mild depression that lasts for a longer period but it is les incapacitating. Sometimes it is even hard to recognize it. This sort of depression is mainly attributed to magnification or minimization of events such as under eating or overeating. The patient may frequently feel tiredness and hopelessness. They have difficulty in decision making and concentration. The recurrence of depressive episodes may lead to, what is called “double depression”. In Dysthymic depression, people recover from major depression but continue to experience intermittent depression episodes.

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: - It circumscribes a depressive reaction to a particular event so that the adjustment because of that event takes longer time than expected and in the given course it affects other activities. For example after the sudden demise of a person’s spouse he continuously feels her presence and is unable to perform his daily duties.

Apart from the above three classifications, depression may also be classified on the basis of triggering or casual factors. A brief account of this categorization is as follows: -

• Depression due to Biological Genetic Factors: Recent findings have proved that depression may also result due to certain biochemical imbalances. For example Norepinephrine and Serotonin, the two neurotransmitters are lower in depressed persons than in Non-Depressed persons.

• Psychological Factors: Several psychological factors like “learned helplessness”, “negative self schema”, “primitive thinking”, “heightened self awareness” play a crucial role in triggering depression.

• Socio-Cultural Factors: Sometimes societal expectations also cause depression, when an individual finds oneself unable to meet the demands of his socio-cultural arena then depression may engulf him.

• Miscellaneous Factors: The other factors such as financial condition, religious status, physical being may also prove to be effective depressants.

The symptoms of all kind of depression are almost same.  Some major symptoms are as follows:

• Persistent sadness accompanied by displeasure.
• Inferiority complex and a sense of worthlessness.
• Reclusive tendency
• Anxiety anger and unusual irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Indifference and pessimism

If these symptoms remain persistent then the necessary positive actions must be taken.