by Nichole Cross

Created on: February 10, 2009

Depression affects somewhere around nineteen millions adults in America. Many people suffering from depression never seek any form of help however. There are several different types of depression to include: major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymic Disorder, Psychotic Depression, Postpartum Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Major depressive disorder has a combination of various symptoms. It usually greatly affects a person's daily activities of living such as sleeping, working, eating, bathing and socializing. A person will often feel a loss on interest, energy, and pleasure, suffer from insomnia, have weight gain or loss, suffer from feelings of worthlessness, suffer a loss of libido and may have suicidal thoughts. A person may suffer only one spell of this in a lifetime, but more often than not it is a reoccurring problem.

Dysthymic depression is a lesser for of major depression. It is characterized by showing chronic signs of depression for at least two years. With this disease a person will often feel a lack of interest in things that use to appeal to them. A person with this disease could suffer from insomnia, hypersomnia, weight gain or loss, poor self esteem and concentration and feeling of hopelessness.

Psychotic depression is often a sever disease. People with psychotic depression often suffer from false realities, hallucinations, delusions, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, hypochondria, constipation and inability to be intellectual. As well as the symptoms listed before a person with this diseas may also suffer from some symptoms of major depressive disorder.

Postpartum Depression is characterized by a mother having a depressive episode up to one month after giving birth. One may also suffer from irritability, mood swings, crying spells, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, loss of pleasure, weight change,fatigue, trouble concentrating, and thoughts of suicide when affected by this disease.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is simply that a seasonal condition. Usually someone with seasonal affective disorder suffers from various symptoms during the fall or winter months, however, it can present during any season depending on the person. Fall and winter SAD are characterized by sadness, hopelessness, anxiety,social phobia, oversleeping, loss of interest, weight gain and difficulty concentrating. Spring and summer SAD is characterized by irritability,insomnia, anxiety, agitation, weight loss and increased libido.

All forms of depression are treatable. If you think you or someone you know suffers from any of the conditions listed above, please do not hesitate to seek help. Help is available from friends, family, doctors, counselors, as well as via the Internet and specific hot lines.

Learn more about this author, Nichole Cross.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.