Types of Depression

Many different and sometimes complicated systems attempt to classify depressions according to their symptoms, severity, causes, and other characteristics. One reason for these rigorous attempts is the need to conduct research on relatively pure forms of the illness. Such research should result in improved treatment for the various forms of depression.

The two most common systems use similar terms in naming various types of depression. The international version is the ninth edition of the International Classification of Diseases, commonly referred to as ICD-9, which classifies all medical and mental disorders. The system used by most clinicians in the United States is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, or DSM-IV, produced by the American Psychiatric Association. Further attempts are made to standardize these common classification systems with each new edition.

Depression can take many forms, and these may be of varying degrees of severity with different natural courses. The types of depression commonly diagnosed in the United States include adjustment disorder with depressed mood; dysthymic disorder; major depressive disorder, single episode or recurrent; major depressive episode associated with bipolar disorder; and mood disorder associated with a general medical condition.

Mild mood alterations do not require help and therefore are not matters for diagnosis. For instance, a bad mood is just that— temporary frustration associated with current circumstances. A person exhibiting a somewhat more persistent alteration of mood is often described as being “blue, ” “bummed out, ” or mildly depressed. People with such negative feelings still enjoy their hobbies, family, and friends. Such mild depressions are usually time-limited and unlikely to require treatment.

Moderate-to-severe forms of depression frequently come to the attention of caregivers, although the initial complaint may not be depression. Those are the forms of depression that fall into formal diagnostic categories.

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