A couple different forms of depression, a little bit about them, and some facts about Bipolar Disorder

Some forms of depression:

• Major Depression= also known as melancholia or unipolar depression,can last up to a year if not treated. A person experiencing an episode of major depression will experience some physical problems,such as headaches,other aches and pains,or digestive upset,in addition to emotional difficulties
• Bipolar disorder= once called manic depressive illness,causes mood swings that soar to unusual elation,and plummet to depression
• Dysthymia= a chronic(ongoing),low-grade depression. It often begins in childhood or adolescence and may last for many years in adulthood if not treated. It is a less severe form of clinical depression,but at times it can be almost as disabling as major depression

Seasonal affective disorder(SAD)= a form of depression thought to be triggered by a decrease in exposure to sunlight. In the Northern Hemisphere,the condition usually occurs in late fall and winter,when daylight hours are short,and it is more common in geographical areas that have four clearly defined seasons

 

Some facts about Bipolar Disorder:

• Bipolar disorder occurs in about 1 in 10 people with clinical depression
• It usually begins before the age of 30
• It strikes men and women equally
• It is twice as likely as major depression to run in families
• Bipolar Disorder triggers more frequent and severe episodes of illness than major depression
• The most disabling part of bipolar disorder are the often prolonged depressive episodes