Two Types of Depression

Depression test

Signs of depression

Depression symptoms

According to psychologists and psychiatrists, however, you will not get depressed. Today, therefore, the official terms and conditions you have to meet before you - are really depressed - from psycho diagnostic point.

Two types of depression

There are two types of depression: a Unipolar depression and Bipolar depression. Approximately 17% of the world gets in his life to deal with a unipolar or bipolar depression.

1. Unipolar depression

The symptoms of unipolar depression affect five areas of functioning, emotion, motivation, behavioral, cognitive and physical. The most severe form of depression is also called a " Major Depressive Disorder . "

According to the DSM-IV, one needs for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, the following symptoms:

If you are "officially" depressed?

• The presence of five or more of the following within a period of two weeks, depressed mood, diminished pleasure or interest in most activities, weight changes, insomnia, motor stimulation or inhibition, fatigue or loss of energy, feeling worthless, reduced concentration and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
• Significant difficulties in daily functioning.
• No history of manic or hypomanic episodes (see bipolar disorder). 

A weakened form of this is the dysthymic disorder , this one has a longer lasting syndrome, but with less severe symptoms. It is also experiencing fewer problems in daily functioning. When a dysthymic disorder leads to major depressive disorder, one speaks of a double depression.

2. Bipolar Depression

Bipolar depression is also known as manic depression . Where one has only suffer from depressive episodes in unipolar depression has bipolar depression also periods of mania . Mania is characterized by a lot of joy, hyperactivity and impulsivity, but also a lot of anger and disinhibition in different behaviors.

The bi-polar-bear, manic depression?

A manic episode is characterized by:

• A period of abnormally elevated or irritable mood for at least a week.
• At least three of the following characteristics: increased self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, want to keep talking, the raging of mind, easy to derive propagation of activity more enjoyable to participate in activities that give a high probability of painful consequences.
• Significant problems or difficulties in daily functioning.

A hypomanic period is characterized by the same symtpomen as mania, they are less severe. However

People who are in a manic period are often think they can around the world. The manic episode is often experienced as very pleasant. There are several types of bipolar disorder, all of which will be briefly explained;

Bipolar I disorder, the presence of a manic, hypomanic or depressive period is preceded by another manic episode (if one is in a hypo manic or depressive episode is).

Bipolar II disorder, the presence of a hypomanic or depressive disorder was preceded by a hypomanic period (if one is in a depressive period is) or preceded by a depressive episode (if one is in a hypomanic period is). One has here no history of manic episodes.

Cyclo Them Tunisian disorder, the alternation of hypomanic and depressive periods light.

Despite the fact that many people in their lives suffer from any of these depressive disorders is not everyone who says "a little depressed" to be meet all requirements have been officially recorded!