Guide To The Major Types Of Depression

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that can occur after giving birth. When women have a baby, it's common for them to experience multiple powerful emotions, including anxiety, fear, joy, and excitement. Many mothers experience some 'baby blues' following childbirth. During this period, it's common for mothers to experience difficulty sleeping, anxiety, waking up during the night, tiredness during the day, crying spells, and mood swings. These feelings usually set in two or three days after giving birth, and they can last for a maximum of two weeks. Though these feelings may be tiring and annoying, they are normal and expected. However, some new mothers experience more long-lasting and serious depression symptoms. If a woman has postpartum depression, she might experience more severe mood swings, withdrawal from friends and family, excessive crying, feelings of worthlessness, fear she isn't a good mother, severe anxiety, panic attacks, overwhelming fatigue, and a reduced interest in the hobbies and activities she previously enjoyed. If women or their loved ones think they might be experiencing postpartum depression, it's important to talk to a doctor to get prompt treatment.

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Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, causes mood swings in extremes. During emotional highs, patients experience periods called mania or hypomania. During emotional lows, they experience similar symptoms to major depression. Individuals who are depressed might lose interest in their activities, withdraw from their social circles, and feel sad or hopeless. During manic episodes, patients might feel like they have a great deal of energy, unusual levels of irritability, or euphoria. Mania can also affect their judgment, impulse control, and rationality. Some mania can present with psychosis like paranoia and delusions. There are several types of bipolar disorder, such as bipolar I and bipolar II. With bipolar I, patients experience manic episodes that cause extreme euphoria or anger. With bipolar II, they experience hypomanic episodes. These may just look like periods of increased productivity and alleviated depression or slightly increased mood. Because mood swings can last for months or years at a time, diagnosing bipolar disorder can sometimes be difficult and requires patience.

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