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Different Types of Depression
What is depression?
Depression is a common and serious illness that affects a person's everyday life. It can cause extreme sadness and a lack of interest in things that were once enjoyed. Sadness or grief alone can not be termed as depression, though they are some of the symptoms. It affects people differently hence can be difficult to diagnose without professional advice. Fortunately, as depression is a clinical illness it can be treated or managed with the right help.
There are various types of depression, like:
Major depressive disorder (MDD):
MDD is also known as clinical depression. When the symptoms are persevering and can start to constantly affect daily routines it can be categorized as Major Depressive Disorder. The exact cause of MDD is unknown but many factors may be a trigger to the repressed emotions. Extreme drug use, chronic diseases, childhood trauma, or any other trauma can be a trigger for MDD. MDD can be managed with the right medication and therapy.
Bipolar Disorder:
A person suffering from Bipolar Disorder has two extreme levels of emotions. One is low, where they lose all hope, and waves of sadness can hit them. The other where there is a high level of energy which can be a kind of maniac period. The person may not be aware of the two extremes and it can be an overwhelming shift from one to the other. Bipolar disorder is considered to be a lifelong condition but it can be regulated with the right support and treatment. Symptoms can be confusing as it has both extreme levels of emotions at the same time. Unusual talkativeness, change in sleep schedule with little to no sleep, hyperactive or loss of hope, feeling guilty or worthless, thinking or attempting self-harm are some of the symptoms. The exact cause of Bipolar disorder is not known but it can be genetic. Seeking help can be the hardest part as identifying Bipolar Disorder is not easy.
Postpartum depression:
This type of depression occurs in women during pregnancy and or right after they give birth. It is one of the most overlooked types of mental health. It affects a person mentally, physically, and emotionally to an extent that it affects everyday life. The main reason for postpartum is the change in hormones during pregnancy, these hormones rise high during pregnancy and can drop instantly after giving birth. Most women experience "baby blues" after delivery but when these emotions last longer they turn into a depressive stage. It is common to experience mood swings during and after pregnancy but when it leads to lack of sleep, loss of pleasure, or feeling no bond with the baby it can be a signal to consult a professional. Most women do not speak about their issues fearing judgment, which can further worsen the condition. Women must realize it is a common condition and can be managed with proper and professional care.
Psychotic depression:
Psychotic depression is a type that comes under major depression that includes psychosis such as hallucination or delusions. A person suffering from psychotic depression is different from a person suffering from major depression because a psychotic person tends to be detached from reality and might experience situations that do not occur or hear voices that are not there. A person with psychotic depression experiences agitation, hallucination, delusion, insomnia, and constant anxiety. Though the exact reason for psychotic depression is unknown, a difficult childhood, having a traumatic experience or genetics can be some of the reasons. The treatments include antipsychotics, antidepressants, therapy, and constant monitoring of the patient.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) :
SAD begins during early winter and may end by the beginning of spring or summer. Most people just consider SAD as " Winter Blues" and do not give much thought to the symptoms. Most people experience mild symptoms like agitation, loss of interest in things that once were enjoyed, oversleeping, etc. at the beginning which could be severe by the end of the season. The lack of sunlight may disturb the internal body clock, which might also affect the drop in serotonin that can trigger depression. Things like living far away from the equator, family history, and having major depression can also increase the chances of SAD.
TMS as a lifesaver:
Depression can be treated with different modalities of treatment like antidepressants, ECT, TMS.
Different people require different approaches to their condition. No person is the same as the other and hence no treatment is the same for everyone. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation therapy is known to have a positive effect on patients who do not adequately respond to antidepressants alone. TMS has minor side effects and may be easily tolerated by patients when compared to other treatments like ECT. A typical TMS treatment lasts about 4 to 6 weeks, with each session lasting about 30-40 minutes and being closely monitored by a physician.
TMS therapy has been found to be very effective on people who fight depression. Our TMS clinic, TMS for You, takes in each person individually with utmost care. Kindly book an appointment with us to discuss any mental health issues that you have and we can help you decide if TMS is right for you.