Depression is a common psychological disorder that affects millions of Americans every year. Depression is often characterized by intense sadness, worthlessness or hopelessness. Those experiencing depression tend to feel extremely pessimistic and guilty and also lose interest in those activities that used to be pleasurable at one point of time. Individuals suffering from depression may also lose or gain weight and feel tired. The symptoms associated with the different types of depression are different.

Among the different types of depression major depression is the most commonly observed. Individuals suffering from major depression experience extreme sadness and despair. These individuals are not interested in getting involved in activities and seem to be convinced of the hopelessness of their state. They may have a complete lack of interest even in sexual activity and may suffer from weight loss. Diagnosis of major depressive disorder is done when the symptoms of depression are observed to be lasting each day for a period of at least two weeks.

Other types of depression or forms include atypical depression. In atypical depression an individual experiences moments of joy or elation followed by depressive episodes triggered by certain situation or events. The mood of such individuals is based on external events and so real or imagined criticism or failure can result in depressive episodes. Individuals suffering from atypical depression tend to experience fatigue and they also tend to eat more and gain weight because of overeating.

Psychotic depression is also one of the types of depression or forms and in this type of depression a person may see or hear imaginary things including voices, visuals or sounds that are nonexistent. Such hallucinations are common with schizophrenia but unlike schizophrenia in psychotic depression the individuals do not believe in those hallucinations. Likewise these hallucinations are not positive as is the case with manic depression.

Dysthymia is one of the types of depression where the individuals feel extremely melancholic and sad. These individuals typically experience the melancholia throughout their lives and are rather frightened and dissatisfied with their lives. Manic depression is a form of depression wherein individuals tend to experience rapidly changing moods.

Sometimes the persons may feel depressed and such feelings of depression may change to mania rather quickly. The rate of suicide in manic depression cases is quite high. In manic depression or bipolar disorder the other noticeable symptoms also include self importance, talkativeness, indulging in risky behavior such as sexual adventures or overspending.

The different symptoms associated with the different types of depression should be identified. Only after a proper diagnosis is made can the right treatment be identified and administered. The line of treatment would ordinarily depend on aspects like the symptoms and their intensity, the duration of these symptoms and the causes. Post partum depression is also one of the types of depression which occur after a woman gives birth. Other types of depression include seasonal affective disorder which may occur at particular times in the year or anxiety depression involving social phobias and panic attacks. Double depression is a condition wherein the individual may suffer from major depressive episodes as well as dysthymia.

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder affects a small number of menstruating women and in this condition the women tend to feel irritable and depressed for a few weeks before the menstrual period every month. The treatment for these conditions may include medication and psychotherapy or both in combination.