Types of Depression "Now, at least I know what's dogging me...The world is not crumbling. I am not crazy, or bad, or lacking in faith or in discipline. I have a disease. It's called depression." - author Kathy Cronkite Mild Depression - Dysthymia People with mild depression can still function, but they suffer from a chronically depressed mood, low self-esteem and low-level symptoms of depression. Mild depression may or may not have a triggering life event. Quite often there is nothing to blame it on - no loss or life change. This can be confusing for both the person affected, and their loved ones. But just as you can catch a cold out of nowhere, you can also slip into mild depression for no apparent reason. A patient seeking treatment described the feelings this way, "I feel like a basketball or a volleyball without much air in it. I still look like a ball. I'm round. If all you want me to do is roll along the floor when I'm pushed, I can imitate a ball pretty well. But I don't bounce very high. To get any bounce at all takes an enormous amount of work. When you try to serve me or spike me, I don't go very far or do very well. I'm not responsive the way I am when I'm full of air. I'm no fun to play with anymore." Major Depression When people say "seriously depressed," this is what they mean. Major depression often causes despair and hopelessness so profound that the person loses interest in life, becomes incapable of feeling pleasure and sexual arousal, and may be unable to get out of bed or eat for days at a time. Or, a major depression may not involve feeling blue at all. Symptoms may include weight loss or gain, anxiety, irritability or agitation, chronic indecisiveness, or sleep disorders. Very often, major depression strikes without any triggering loss or cause. Officially, major depression involves at least two weeks of deep despair and at least four of the following: sleep problems - insomnia or sleeping all the time appetite problems - loss of appetite or major weight gain lack of energy - apathy, lethargy, no interest in anything feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and/or terrible guilt difficulty concentrating, or unusual indecisiveness suicidal thoughts, or suicide attempts Beyond the misery it causes, the big risk with major depression is suicide. Within five years of suffering a major depression, an estimated 25% of sufferers try to kill themselves. The myth is that people who talk about suicide don't attempt it. The fact is that many people announce their intention before their suicide attempts. Take any talk of suicide very seriously. Call the person's doctor immediately. Situational Depression Grief - Losses in life involve sadness, and lethargy. In grief after the death of a loved one, there is often despair, anger, insomnia, poor appetite or weight gain, obsessive thoughts, and even guilt. What makes these reactions normal is that people eventually recover. After losing a ball game, it may take a day or two to bounce back. After a lay-off, maybe a few months. After the death of a loved one, it may take a year. If a person doesn't recover they have a clinical depression and should see a doctor. Adjustment - Life is full of changes and coping can be difficult. Many people feel overwhelmed and "crazy" for a while. Then they get things under control. If they don't and become persistently gloomy, angry, and unable to cope, it's most likely adjustment disorder with depressed mood. These normal depressed moods presume a triggering life event. If you or someone you know displays these symptoms without a loss, or if the depression seems out of proportion to the loss, call a doctor. Post-Partum Depression - New mothers expect to feel over-joyed after giving birth. But because of the enormous hormonal changes of delivery and the challenges of dealing with an infant, about two-thirds of women feel transient sadness. About 10-15% become clinically depressed and require additional treatment. Seasonal Affective Disorder This condition is often called "winter blues". A reaction to the lack of sunlight in winter, mild or major depression develops in late fall and clears up in early spring. As distance from the equator increases, this condition becomes more common. In the northern hemisphere, December, January, and February are the worst months. Light therapy for SAD has proven effective for the majority of those suffering from the recurring disorder.   WHAT IS DEPRESSION? | WHO HAS DEPRESSION? TREATMENT OPTIONS | RESOURCES & LINKS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM | DEPRESSION MAIN PAGE   BACK TO HEALTHWORKS | RETURN TO TV HOME PAGE © 1999 Prairie Public Broadcasting, Inc.