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Types Of Depression

There are 3 major subtypes of major depression and manic depression: psychotic, melancholic, and atypical features.

Major or manic depression with psychotic features, as it implies means that the victim displays either delusions or hallucinations. The psychotic symptoms are worse during the first 6 months, and lessen after that.

Major or manic depression with melancholic features means that the victim has features that are primarily seen in strictly biologically based depressions. This means they tend to feel worse, but have a higher chance of being cured by biological treatments such as medication and ECT, rather than straight psychotherapy.

Finally, a major or manic depressive episode with atypical features is the reverse of a melancholic episode. This appears to be a reaction to an extreme reaction to some stimulant in the environment. They tend to respond better to Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors and Monamine Re-uptake Inhibitors.

Other symptoms of major depression or manic depression may include a loss of appetite, unintentional loss or gain of weight of over 5% of body weight, sleeping too little or too much, psychomotor retardation or agitation (slow or excessive movements), decreased energy and fatigue, and decreased sex drive. Additionally, sufferers often feel worse in the morning and better at night.

Individuals suffering from major depression or manic depression often have decreased concentration and slowed thinking, along with a negative world view. When taken together, this combination makes the person with major depression prone to the inability to make decisions, and they are overwhelmed by seemingly easy tasks. They often view decisions in their personal lives as choices between something bad and something worse.

 

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