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![]() Reactive depression Endogenous depression Bipolar depression Primary and secondary depression Dysthymia There are many different types of depression. Over the years experts have drawn up international guidelines to help classify different ‘mood disorders’. Within the heading of mood disorders fall different levels of depression which will be treated differently. Doctors can distinguish these by assessing the signs and symptoms the person is experiencing, the person’s personality features and life events, and also medical history.
Some people are particularly prone to reactive depression. Those who are unable to manage the problems of everyday life in an emotionally efficient manner may experience repeated episodes of reactive depression. These moods are often referred to as neurotic depression. People with certain personality traits are at a disadvantage when it comes to coping with adverse events in life. Those who are perfectionists, tend to be anxious and attention-seeking and who lack assertiveness are particularly at risk. Endogenous depression It is important that the person seeks help for their depression. In particular, the more severe forms carry with them a major risk of suicide if the person is overcome with their negative feelings and hopelessness. Bipolar depression If a person has only ever had episodes of depression they are described as having unipolar affective disorder. If they have had at least one period of elevated mood or mania as well as depression, then they are described as having a bipolar affective disoder. The treatment for bipolar disorder is more complicated than that of unipolar depression, with a combination of drugs needed to stabilise mood. Primary and secondary depression In secondary depression, the illness has come about as a result of a medical condition (eg. Parkinson’s disease or thyroid problems). Depression can occur as a result of other psychiatric illnesses like schizophrenia. The usefulness of classifying depression in this way is that the underlying causes can be dealt with as well as the depression. Dysthymia |
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