Six Common Types of the Depressive Disorder

Generally speaking, there are quite many types of the depressive disorder,   ranging from moderate to severe and most of us have experienced one kind or  another at various points in our lives. The most common types of this disorder  include:  

1. Dysthymic Disorder - This condition is a chronic long-lasting form of the  depressive disorder showing many similarities with the major depressive disorder  (in the form of the melancholic depression). As one of the two popular forms of  clinical depression, it usually has fewer or less serious symptoms than the major  depressive disorder but people suffering from this type of depression have a  greater-than-average chance of developing MDD.
2. Major Depressive Disorder (clinical depression, major depression, unipolar depression, or unipolar disorder) - People suffering from major depressive disorder often report experiencing an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, which permeates all facets of life, and an inability to experience pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed. Major depressive disorder is a grave illness that impacts an individual's family and personal relationships, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. Its touch on functioning and wellbeing has been equated to that of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes. Depressed people may be preoccupied with, thoughts and feelings of worthlessness, improper guilt or regret, helplessness, hopelessness, and self-disgust. In severe cases, depressed people may have symptoms of psychosis. These symptoms include delusions or, less commonly, hallucinations, usually of an unpleasant nature. Other symptoms of depression include poor concentration and memory, detachment from social situations and activities, reduced sex drive, and thoughts of death or suicide. Insomnia is common among the depressed. Hypersomnia, or oversleeping, can also happen. Appetite often decreases, with resulting weight loss, although increased appetite and weight gain occasionally occur.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depressive disorder or winter  blues, is a mood disorder in which individuals who have normal mental health throughout  most of the year go through depressive symptoms in the winter or, less often, in the  summertime, spring or fall, repeatedly, year after year. Those who experience SAD pass  through a depressed mood, somnolence, gain in weight and a craving for sugars during wintertime. SAD is not a singular mood disorder, but is "a specifier of major depressive disorder". There are many  distinct treatments for standard (winter-based) seasonal affective disorder, including  light therapy with sunlight or bright lights, antidepressant drug medication,  cognitive-behavioral therapy, ionized-air therapy,  and carefully timed administration of the hormone melatonin.
4. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition indicating serious premenstrual  distress with assorted impairment in normal functioning. PMDD is defined by depressed or  unstable mood, anxiety, irritability, anger, and additional symptoms taking place solely  during the 2 weeks preceding menstruum. Many women go through some of these symptoms in  variable degrees, but those who are diagnosed with PDD experience rather severe  symptoms.
5. Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder, bipolar affective disorder or manic  depression) is a condition that depicts a category of mood disorders defined by the  presence of one or more sequences of abnormally raised energy levels, cognition, and  temper. These moods are typically referred to as mania  or, if lighter, hypomania.  People who go through manic episodes also usually experience depressive episodes or  symptoms, or merged episodes in which facets of both manic disorder and depressive  disorder are present at the same time. These episodes are commonly divided by periods of  normal mood, but in some individuals, depressive disorder and manic disorder may rapidly  take turns, acknowledged as rapid cycling. Intense manic episodes can occasionally lead  to psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.
6. Postpartum depressive disorder (postnatal depressive disorder) - This type of the  clinical depression, usually known as the "baby blues", occurs in mothers who have  recently given birth. Among men,  especially in new fathers, the relative incidence of  postnatal depressive disorder has been approximated to be between 1% and 25%. Postnatal  depressive disorder occurs in women after they have carried a baby, typically in the  first couple of months. Symptoms include sorrow, tiredness, insomnia, lowered libido,  weeping episodes, anxiety, and bad temper. It's occasionally presumed that postpartum  depressive disorder is caused by a deficiency in vitamins,  but reports tend to show  that more likely causes are the substantial changes in a woman's hormones during  pregnancy. Then again, studies show that hormonal treatment has not helped postnatal  depressive disorder victims. Many women convalesce due to requesting help from a support  group or professional counseling.

These forms of the depressive disorder may carry many aspects that address each  individual in a certain unique way and may also get worse over time if they are not  given the proper amount of importance. If you think you are going thru one of these  types of the depressive disorder mentioned above you should also consider seeking  professional medical advice as early on in order to recenter yourself and avoid such a  terrible condition.