An Overview of Depression
An Overview of Depression
Symptoms of dysthymia include:
Dysthymia differs from major depression in that dysthymia involves fewer of the above symptoms than occurs in major depression. To be diagnosed with dysthymia, symptoms must persist for at least two years in adults or one year in children or adolescents.
Seasonal depression, called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting in fall or winter and ending in spring or early summer. It is more than just "the winter blues" or "cabin fever." A rare form of SAD known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall.
People who suffer from SAD have many of the common signs of depression: Sadness, irritability, loss of interest in their usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, and inability to concentrate. But symptoms of winter SAD may differ from symptoms of summer SAD.
Symptoms of winter SAD may include the seasonal occurrence of:
Symptoms of summer SAD include the seasonal occurrence of:
There is not just one cause of depression. It is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a multitude of different factors, including biology and emotional and environmental factors. For people biologically vulnerable to depression, it may sometimes start with a significant life event, such as the loss of a loved one or a change in one's life or after being diagnosed with a serious disease. For others, depression may just occur for no apparent "reason." In fact, there does not need to be any apparent "reason" for the symptoms of depression to occur in people who are vulnerable to the illness.
Mental Health: Depression
In this article
- Major Depression
- What Are the Symptoms of Major Depression?
- Psychotic Depression
- How Is Psychotic Depression Different Than Other Mental Disorders?
- What Are the Symptoms of Psychotic Depression?
- Dysthymia
- What Are the Symptoms of Dysthymia?
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- What Are the Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
- What Causes Depression?
- How Is Depression Diagnosed?
- How Is Depression Treated?
- What Is the Outlook for People With Depression?
What Are the Symptoms of Dysthymia?
Symptoms of dysthymia include:
- Difficulty sleeping
- Loss of interest in activities or the ability to enjoy oneself
- Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Loss of energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking or making decisions
- Changes in appetite
- Thoughts of death or suicide
Dysthymia differs from major depression in that dysthymia involves fewer of the above symptoms than occurs in major depression. To be diagnosed with dysthymia, symptoms must persist for at least two years in adults or one year in children or adolescents.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal depression, called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a depression that occurs each year at the same time, usually starting in fall or winter and ending in spring or early summer. It is more than just "the winter blues" or "cabin fever." A rare form of SAD known as "summer depression," begins in late spring or early summer and ends in fall.
What Are the Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder?
People who suffer from SAD have many of the common signs of depression: Sadness, irritability, loss of interest in their usual activities, withdrawal from social activities, and inability to concentrate. But symptoms of winter SAD may differ from symptoms of summer SAD.
Symptoms of winter SAD may include the seasonal occurrence of:
- Fatigue
- Increased need for sleep
- Decreased levels of energy
- Weight gain
- Increase in appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Increased desire to be alone
Symptoms of summer SAD include the seasonal occurrence of:
- Weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite
What Causes Depression?
There is not just one cause of depression. It is a complex disease that can occur as a result of a multitude of different factors, including biology and emotional and environmental factors. For people biologically vulnerable to depression, it may sometimes start with a significant life event, such as the loss of a loved one or a change in one's life or after being diagnosed with a serious disease. For others, depression may just occur for no apparent "reason." In fact, there does not need to be any apparent "reason" for the symptoms of depression to occur in people who are vulnerable to the illness.
Source...