How To Test For Depression

Depression is one of the most insidious afflictions that can strike an individual. Knowing the signs and symptoms of the various kinds of depression means that you can access the appropriate treatment more quickly, which means less misery and more recovery.

The overall symptoms

All types of depression share several symptoms beyond just that of feeling constantly sad Insomnia or sleeping too much are common, as are feelings of worthlessness and the inability to enjoy oneself. Also, a sufferer almost always has difficulty making any kind of decision or concentrating, and may experience marked changes in desire for food, wanting either much more or much less. However, the differences are important. If you can, keep a diary of your symptoms, including anything that has a significant positive or negative effect on your mood.

Major depressive disorder and dysthymia

The most common types of depression are major depressive disorder and dysthymia. Major depression is a constant feeling of sorrow that makes it difficult to do anything at all, and is generally experienced in relatively short, sharp bursts (several months at a time). Dysthymia is less debilitating than major depression, but is much longer lasting. Sometime sufferers go through bouts that last for years without relenting.

Atypical and bipolar depression

Despite the name, atypical depression is very common. Unlike other types of depression, the moods of the atypically depressed respond quickly to outside stimuli. That is to say, if good things happen, the atypical depressive's mood is elevated, but if something even slightly bad happens, they lose their temper in a manner out of proportion to the importance of the event. Bipolar depression is one of the most well known type of depression, but not the most common. it is characterized by manic moods where the sufferer is almost frantically enjoying themselves that alternate with bouts of extreme depression.

Postpartum depression and seasonal affective disorder

Postpartum depression is experienced by most mothers to a degree during first few months after birth; but one in ten or so suffer to a degree that they find it difficult to do even the simplest of tasks without weeping or frustration Ð hardly a good thing with a newborn around! Seasonal affective disorder is a recurring form of depression that generally appears around the same time of year, usually winter, but is no less debilitating due to that seasonal limitation.

These days, it is easy to find help, but accurately cataloging and describing your symptoms is the most important action you can take to help to a psychiatrist accurately diagnose the problem. Different medications treat different kinds of depression, and proscribing the right kind from the start is important.

Accurately cataloging and describing the symptoms is the most important action you can do