Types Of Depression
Like any other disease, there are different degrees of depression and different treatments for each one. The most serious of these is Major Depression. As implied by the name, this type of disorder can be very severe. It can creep up slowly or be the result of a significant trauma in life although some patients develop it with no obvious causes.
Bipolar depression used to be called manic depression because of the intense mood swings it causes, from abject misery to energetic exhilaration. Every patient has a unique pattern of mood changes but once the cycle is identified, they are very predictable. Research scientists have concluded that bipolar depression is probably hereditary but it can be successfully treated.
A less severe but chronic depression is Dysthymic Disorder, involving consistent depressed moods, disturbed sleep, changes in appetite and lack of energy as well as low self-esteem. Most people with this type of depression have no concept of a normal life; they often don’t recall a time in their lives when they were not depressed. After ruling out any physical causes, a physician can successfully treat the disorder with medication, psychotherapy or both.
Sometimes a patient’s depression is listed as "not otherwise specified". They are definitely clinically depressed but do not fit into a specific category. This type of depression includes those whose symptoms are quite severe enough to be called major depression but not mild enough for moderate depression. Treatment includes counseling, medications, psychotherapy or a combination thereof.
It has been found that every patient afflicted with depression have undergone chemical changes in their brains. Oddly enough, once they deal with their depression under the care of a qualified professional, the brain’s chemistry returns to normal!
Treating any type of depression is essential; it will not just "go away". Medication can be very helpful, as can counseling or psychotherapy. As with any profession, there are excellent mental health care providers and there are some that have been poorly trained. Always investigate a therapist’s reputation, education and his or her standing within their profession. No reputable therapist will object to being checked out and most prefer that their prospective patients make an informed decision regarding their health care. Your primary care physician will probably be able to provide you with a few names to get you started. Your state’s medical board can also give you information of a therapist you might be considering.
