When considering how to manage depression, it is important to recognize that not all forms of depression are the same – and may manifest differently depending on attachment styles – therefore their symptoms and treatment vary. The following are some of the more common forms of depression:
Clinical or Major Depression
Clinical depression is medically diagnosed, meaning that it is assessed and treated by a doctor. Clinical depression is relatively common, as in the United States alone, approximately 16.2 million people have experienced it.
The symptoms of clinical depression tend to be severe and people tend to experience symptoms for most of the day, almost every day. These symptoms include continuous low mood, despondency, dread, over or under-sleeping, fatigue, over or under-eating, anxiety, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, low self-worth, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and suicidal ideation.
Attachment-Related Depression
Although attachment-related depression isn’t a commonly known form of depression, people with attachment issues have low self-views, difficulties trusting others, and problems feeling safe and secure in relationships. As a result, mood disorders such as depression and loneliness are common in people with insecure attachment styles – a fact that is backed up by many studies on attachment theory.
Dysthymia or Persistent Depression
Persistent depression or dysthymia is also known as “chronic depression,” and tends to last for more than two years. The symptoms of this form of depression are outwardly similar to major depression, but they might not be quite as intense.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
As the name suggests, this form of depression tends to be seasonal or is associated with certain types of weather. People with SAD typically notice a reduction in their energy, mood, and sleeping patterns when the weather turns cold (or, in some instances, warm). For obvious reasons, this form of depression is more common in winter or more northerly countries.
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is associated with periods of extreme highs and depressive lows. The low episodes of bipolar disorder tend to appear similar to depressive periods and share many of the same symptoms. The high episodes are sometimes referred to as “manic episodes” as they are associated with elation, speaking rapidly, high energy, and self-importance.
Pre- or Postnatal Depression
These forms of depression occur during and after pregnancy. Prenatal depression occurs before birth, and postnatal occurs after birth. Although more common in women, these forms of depression can also affect men due to lifestyle changes. These types of depression are often attributable to hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as a lack of sleep after having the child.
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression or “depressive psychosis” are episodes of extreme low mood which are accompanied by hallucinations or delusions. The hallucinations may involve auditory, visual, or olfactory visions or apparitions. The delusions may include believing in untrue or fantastical stories or opinions.This list includes the more commonly known forms of depression, but other forms comprise premenstrual syndrome, atypical depression, situational depression, subsyndromal depression, cyclothymia, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.