Depression can be divided into several categories depending on the severity of the symptoms. This is because some people experience mild and transient episodes, while others experience severe and ongoing episodes of depression. In general, there are two main types of depression, namely major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder. There is also depression in pregnancy and depression after childbirth. Read on for a further explanation!
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder is a more severe form of depression. This type of depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness that do not go away on their own. People diagnosed with clinical depression experience five or more of the following symptoms over a 2-week period:
- Feeling depressed most of the day
- Loss of interest in most routine activities
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Too much sleep or can't sleep
- Slowed thinking or movement
- Fatigue or low energy most days
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Loss of concentration or indecision
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Persistent depressive disorder
Persistent depressive disorder is a milder, but chronic form of depression. For a diagnosis to be made, symptoms must last for at least 2 years. People with the persistent depressive disorder may experience the following:
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- Feeling hopeless
- less productive
- Feeling inferior
In addition, there are several other forms of depression, such as:
Depression during pregnancy
Although pregnancy is often a long-awaited time, it is still common for pregnant women to experience depression. Symptoms of depression during pregnancy include:
- Changes in appetite or eating habits
- Feeling hopeless
- Worry
- Loss of interest in activities and things you previously enjoyed
- Continuous sadness
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering
- Sleep problems, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Treatment for depression during pregnancy needs to be consulted with a doctor. Pregnant women will be more advised to carry out non-drug therapy because the use of anti-depressants for pregnant women is not so recommended. Even so, this depression must be addressed immediately because the risk of depression can continue after the baby is born. Recognizing the symptoms of depression can help identify problems and seek help before the depression gets worse.
Postpartum depression
Postpartum depression or postpartum depression refers to depression that occurs after childbirth. This is a common disorder after pregnancy, affecting 1 in 9 new parents. Postpartum depression is different from baby blues. Baby blues is a feeling of sadness or emptiness after giving birth that is common and will disappear within a few days. Meanwhile, postpartum depression occurs for more than two weeks after giving birth.
Postpartum depression is thought to be triggered by the dramatic hormonal changes that occur after pregnancy. Symptoms of postpartum depression can range from mild to severe and can include:
- Feeling restless or moody
- Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed
- Having thoughts of hurting the baby or yourself
- Having no interest in the baby, feeling disconnected, or as if the baby being born belongs to someone else
- Have no energy or motivation
- Eat too little or too much
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Having trouble focusing
- Having memory problems
- Feeling worthless, guilty, or feeling like a bad parent
- Withdraw from activities you used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Have headaches, pain, or stomach problems that don't go away
- Feeling empty, disconnected, and feeling like it's impossible to love or care for the baby
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Source:
Higuera, V & Saripalli, V. (2021). Everything You Need to Know About Depression (Major Depressive Disorder). Healthline. [online]. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression