Atypical depression is a condition wherein the patients tend to easily respond to positive as well as negative external events. They tend to feel extremely depressed or then hopeful based on the situation that they are facing. Such individuals will be relatively hopeful and happy if they are with their friends. These people may also experience depression if they are alone. Such depression may be experienced in situations like rejection by lover, friend or failure at the workplace.

Individuals experiencing atypical depression tend to oversleep or overeat. As against this those experiencing melancholia may suffer from insomnia and weight loss. Quite often individuals experiencing this form of depression tend to feel a great deal of exhaustion and paralyzed or are too tired to even get out of bed. Many suffering from this condition eat chocolate as it acts as a comfort food.

The causes of atypical depression include sleep disturbances, genetic factors resulting in depression, high blood pressure along with increased cholesterol level and mental, sexual and physical abuse that occurred in the past. Other causes of this condition also include drug or alcohol intake along with nutritional problems that may occur during childhood period. Stress following loss of loved one or friends can also result in this condition.

Some symptoms associated with atypical depression include increased appetite along with weight gain of around 10lbs or even more. This weight gain occurs due to the depression and may be accompanied with hyperinsomnia where the person may sleep for 10 hours or even more every day. Such people may take excess sleep of around 2 hours even when they do not experience depression. Those suffering from this condition may experience a heavy or leaden feeling in the arms and the legs.

People suffering from atypical depression often have depressed mood that tends to last for years. In some other cases the depression may be mild to moderate in severity and may come and go in cycles. Such individuals also tend to display a higher emotional sensitivity particularly towards personal criticisms, rejections and slights.

Those having atypical depression are at a greater risk of experiencing sudden and major episodes of depression. This type of depression also tends to occur together with panic disorder and may be accompanied with other problems like alcohol or drug abuse. Those suffering from this condition try to carefully study their relationships so as to protect themselves from rejections. They may also push themselves harder and follow strict sleep schedules and diets.

Since people suffering from atypical depression tend to be extremely sensitive this makes it rather difficult for them to develop and maintain close relationships. These individuals often tend to take constructive criticism too personally and seriously as well. The depressive phases tend to be set off by perceived and real rejections.

Atypical depression can be treated only after a correct diagnosis. The medication for this condition can effectively control the symptoms and an effective medication for this condition includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants. Such SSRI antidepressants include sertraline, fluoxetine and paroxetine. These medications tend to take around one month to work and determining the correct dose may take some time.

Along with medication atypical depression can also be treated through psychotherapy. After the medication becomes effective it is possible for the patient to understand how the symptoms affect the relationships and life of the patients. These people then are better equipped to improve their work and social lives.