What Are the Different Types of Depression?
What Are the Different Types of Depression?By Bobbie Hasselbring
Common Types of Depression Here are some of the common types of depression.
- Major depressive disorder: This type of clinical depression is characterized by a severe lack of interest in the things that were once enjoyed or nonstop feelings of sadness.
- Bipolar disorder: Also called manic depression, bipolar disorder is a type of depression that has either subtle or extreme "high" periods alternating with "low" periods of depression.
- Dysthymia: This type of depression is characterized by ongoing yet mild symptoms of depression.
- Seasonal affective disorder: This type of depression occurs seasonally and is caused by lack of sunlight.
There are many types of depression. Some are mild and go away quickly, and some can be more severe or more chronic in nature. Most types share a set of core symptoms. To learn more about these types of depression, see:
- What is Clinical Depression?
- What is Bipolar Disorder?
- What is Dysthymia?
- What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?