Section: Depression

This article is part of the Depression Symptoms Guide. In this part of the series, we will examine the type of depression known as Atypical Depression.

Atypical depression is a type of unipolar disorder, and is a subtype of major depressive disorder and dysthymia, characterised by mood reactivity — being able to experience improvements in mood due to positive events. This contrasts with other forms of depression, where sufferers cannot experience improvements in mood even when good things happen.

This article is part of the Depression Symptoms Guide. In this part of the series, we will examine the type of depression known as Postpartum Depression (PPD).

Postpartum Depression is a type of unipolar disorder, also called postnatal depression. It occurs most frequently in women, and rarely in men some time within the first year after the birth of a child.

This article is part of the Depression Symptoms Guide. In this part of the series, we will examine the type of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is a type of unipolar disorder, often also referred to as winter depression, winter blues, seasonal depression or seasonal mood disorder. It is a depressive disorder which causes people who are typically mentally healthy, to experience depressive symptoms during the winter (and sometimes other seasons), repeatedly and at the same time each year.

This article is part of the Depression Symptoms Guide. In this part of the series, we will examine the type of depression known as Dysthymia.

Dysthymia is a type of unipolar disorder, also referred to as chronic depression, dysthymic disorder, and sometimes misleadingly as ‘minor depression’, as the effects of dysthymia are not ‘minor’, and can be extremely debilitating.

This article is part of the Depression Symptoms Guide. In this part of the series, we will examine the type of depression known as Major Depressive Disorder.

Major depressive disorder is a type of unipolar disorder, often also referred to as clinical depression, major or severe depression, or unipolar depression. It is probable that when someone is said to ‘have depression’, they suffer from major depressive disorder.

We’ve all felt depressed, down or sad at times in our lives, but usually these feelings are transient, with life returning to normal soon after. Sometimes though, feelings of sadness, hopelessness — or in some cases mania — may worsen and persist for weeks, months or even years, indicating the presence of a depressive disorder, and the need for help.

Depressive disorders are categorised as mood disorders, and there are various types of depression, each with their own symptoms and treatments. In this Depression Symptoms Guide, we’ll examine the characteristics and symptoms of each type of depressive disorder.