In each type of depression, the number, severity, and persistence of symptoms vary.
It is a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability of development of the person’s day to day and is characterized by the appearance of one or more depressive episodes with a 2 weeks minimum duration.
- Depressed mood most of the day
- Loss of interest in activities that were previously rewarding
- Loss or weight gain
- Insomnia or Hypersomnia
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of concentration and trouble in decision making
- Feelings of guilt
- Suicidal thoughts
- Agitation or retardation psychomotor almost every day
- Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
Known as "Dysthymia", is characterized by less severe symptoms, but long-term (2 years or more), which does not necessarily incapacitate the person but does interfere in the daily development.
- Feelings of incompetence
- Widespread loss of interest or pleasure
- Social isolation
- Feelings of guilt or sadness about the past
- Subjective feelings of irritability or excessive anger
- Decline in activity, efficiency and productivity
Called “manic-depressive ", is characterized by cyclical in mood changes, either to an euphoric State (mania) or a low (depressed) status. These changes tend to be gradual although in some cases there may be quick and dramatic way.
EUPHORIC PHASE
- Loss of self-esteem
- Self-absorption
- Feelings of hopelessness or disability
- Excessive or inappropriate guilt feelings
- Fatigue (tiredness or boredom) lasting for weeks or months
- Exaggerated slowness (inertia)
- Persistent Drowsiness
- Insomnia
- Problems with concentration, easily distracted by unimportant events
- Difficulty making decisions
- Loss of appetite
- Unintentional weight loss
- Abnormal thoughts about death
- Thoughts of suicide, planning of suicide or suicide attempts
- Diminished interest in daily activities
- Decrease pleasure produced by everyday activities
MANIC PHASE
- Exaltation of mood
- Increase of activities directed toward goals
- Fleeting ideas or accelerated thinking
- High self-esteem-Less need for sleep
- Agitation-Logorrhea (speaking more than usual or having the need to continue talking)
- Increase in involuntary activity (i.e., walking from one side to another, twisting the hands)
- Excessive anxiety
- Unintentional weight gain
- Low temper control
- Extreme irresponsibility behavior pattern
- Increase in activity aimed at sexual or social level
- Excessive and harmful involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential to produce painful consequences (go on sprees, having multiple sexual partners, use alcohol and other drugs)
- False beliefs (delusions)
- Hallucinations
- Psychotic depression
Serious depressive state accompanied by some form of psychosis
- Postpartum depression
Depressive state present in women after childbirth
- Seasonal affective disorder
Depressive state associated with a time of the year, specifically in the winter