Depression
is an illness where a patient is inflicted with prolonged sadness that effects
their ability to function normally.
Within the overall term
depression are three different forms of the disease. Each has a different set of
symptoms and is treated a bit differently. Here is more detail about each of the three
types.
Major
Depression
Major depression is categorized by symptoms that persist for
a minimum of two solid weeks. These symptoms include changes in eating habits,
changes in sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and loss of enjoyment in
once pleasurable activities. Along with any combination of these symptoms is a
sense of dread or hopelessness. A person often becomes more irritable than
normal. Once these symptoms persist for two weeks or longer and begin to have an
impact of daily functions, you can be sure it isn't just a normal case of the
blues, but a bout with the medical illness known as major depression. Many
people will suffer at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime. Some
people may have more than one. A few people will suffer
from many to the point the episodes are considered
chronic.
Dysthymia
The symptoms of dysthymia are basically the same as with
major depression, just less intense but persisting for a longer period of time.
Major depression is crippling in nature,
but dysthymia only prevents a person from full enjoyment in life. Dysthymia is like an annoying gnat that hangs around for hours while
major depression is the wasp that stings hard and then dies. There are many
people who suffer from both major depression and dysthymia often one following
the other. Because it does not completely paralyze its sufferers, many people
don't realize it is a medical condition at all. It does not have
the major impact associated with major depression, but it is not just normal
sadness or grief either and should be treated.
Bipolar
Disorder
This is the most severe and also most rare form of
depression. It was once known as manic depression or manic depressive illness.
This illness is a mood disorder where a person swings between bouts of
depression and bouts of high energy and unrealistic elation known as mania. The
switch from one extreme mood to the other can be quick and dramatic, but more
often than not the moods gradually switch from one to the other. This disease
causes these mood swings to happen chronically and repeatedly. If the manic
episodes are extreme then the disorder is called Bipolar I. If they are still above normal but not near as dramatic (also known as
hypomania), then the disorder is called Bipolar II.
It is important to seek the help of a doctor if you think
you or a loved one might be suffering from any form of depression. Each type is
treated a little differently, but each type can be effectively treated through
different forms of medication and therapy. If you seek help early on, the length
and severity of the depression can be significantly reduced.
