There are several types of depressive disorders.
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Major depression: Severe symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, study, eat, and enjoy life. An episode can occur only once in a person\u2019s lifetime, but more often, a person has several episodes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Persistent depressive disorder: A depressed mood that lasts for at least 2 years. A person diagnosed with persistent depressive disorder may have episodes of major depression along with periods of less
severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for 2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some forms of depression are slightly different, or they may develop under unique circumstances. They include:
Psychotic depression, which occurs when a person has severe depression plus some form of psychosis, such as having disturbing false beliefs or a break with reality (delusions), or hearing or seeing upsetting things that others cannot hear or see (hallucinations).
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Postpartum depression, which is much more serious than the \u201cbaby blues\u201d that many women experience after giving birth, when hormonal and physical changes and the new responsibility of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. It is estimated that 10 to 15 percent of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth.
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Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is characterized by the onset of depression during the winter months, when there is less natural sunlight. The depression generally lifts during spring and summer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
SAD may be effectively treated with light therapy, but nearly half of those with SAD do not get better with light therapy alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n