Major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as "depression," can severely disrupt your life, affecting your appetite, sleep, work, and relationships.

The symptoms that help a doctor identify depression include:

* constant feelings of sadness, irritability, or tension
* decreased interest or pleasure in usual activities or hobbies
* loss of energy, feeling tired despite lack of activity
* a change in appetite, with significant weight loss or weight gain
* a change in sleeping patterns, such as difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much
* restlessness or feeling slowed down
* decreased ability to make decisions or concentrate
* feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, or guilt
* thoughts of suicide or death

And for more information visit the source site:
http://www.depression.com/ty pes_of_depression.html

Answered by Dinesh , an ibibo Master, at 6:48 AM on October 15, 2008

1)Tension due to ANOREXIA NERVOSA, mainly affects teenage girls and young women when an abnormal diet is taken.
2)Due to LOW SELF ESTEEM, on the the personality cult.
3)The MENOPAUSE ,due to harmonal changes ,also cause a type of depression.
4)PREMENSTRUAL TENSION also cause the depression
5Depression due to SERIOUS ILLNESS,with loss of hope on life.
6)DISAPOINMENTS due to failure in important exams,tests,interview, loss of employment and income all cause other types of Depression.
7)STRAINED RELATION between husband and wife ( even due sex ),between parents and children and even between friends, cause other type of depression
8)In susceptible people,CERTAIN FOODS, also can cause other type of depression.
9)Some women by taking ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE, shows depression
10) SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder ),caused by the effects of light deprivation is also a type of depression ,prevalent in nortern climates.It can be usually be treated with full-spectrum light therapy.

Answered by SUKUMARAN , an ibibo Master, at 8:30 PM on October 14, 2008

depression is of 2 type..
endogenous- this is genetic or hreditary, not much can be done to prevent this..
exogenous- this is environmentally related, can be due to the circumstances, company etc.. can be prevebted or cured easily...
other types-
major depression- it is labelled if the depression symptoms r more than 6 months. patient has the feelings of hopelessness, helplessness & worthlessness somtimes with suicidal tendencies
dysthymia- low mood or irritability of more than 2 yrs..
bipolar disorder- alternate symptoms of mania & depression of more than 6 months..

Answered by Nitika Jain , an ibibo Citizen, at 7:50 PM on October 14, 2008

Depression is probably the most common psychological disorder and the one that receives the most attention. Lately, we hear about millions of Americans being treated with Prozac and a multitude of other antidepressants. Everybody seems to know someone who is depressed whether a family member, a close friend or a co-worker.
Depression makes a person feel sad, hopeless, worthless, pessimistic and guilty. Often the sufferer has difficulty concentrating and making decisions, has a loss of appetite and weight or a weight gain, has difficulty sleeping, has a lack of energy and sometimes physical symptoms such as slow movement and speech. Depression must be taken seriously because of the high rate of suicide associated with it.
Many people are not aware of the many types of depression besides what is termed unipolar depression where the sufferer feels melancholic and never feels any highs. A brief description of manic depression (bipolar disorder), major depression, atypical depression, psychotic depression and dysthymia are discussed below.

Major Depression:
Major depression is probably one of the most common forms of depression. You probably know a handful of people who suffer from it. The sufferer seems to walk around with the weight of the world on his or her shoulders. He or she seems disinterested in becoming involved in regular activities and seems convinced that he or she will always be in this hopeless state. There is a lack of interest in sexual activity and in appetite and a weight loss.

Atypical Depression:
Atypical depression is a variation of depression that is slightly different from major depression. The sufferer is sometimes able to experience happiness and moments of elation. Symptoms of atypical depression include fatigue, oversleeping, overeating and weight gain. People who suffer from atypical depression believe that outside events control their mood (i.e. success, attention and praise). Episodes of atypical depression can last for months or a sufferer may live with it forever.

Psychotic Depression:
Sufferers of psychotic depression begin to hear and see imaginary things - - sounds, voices and visuals that do not exist. These are referred to as hallucinations, which are generally more common with someone suffering from schizophrenia. The hallucinations are not "positive" like they are with a manic depressive. The sufferer of psychotic depression imagines frightening and negative sounds and images.

Dysthymia:
Many people just walk around seeming depressed - - simply sad, blue or melancholic. They have been this way all of their lives. This is dysthymia - - a condition that people are not even aware of but just live with daily. They go through life feeling unimportant, dissatisfied, frightened and simply don't enjoy their lives. Medication is beneficial for this type of depression.

Manic Depression:
Manic depression can be defined as an emotional disorder characterized by changing mood shifts from depression to mania which can sometimes be quite rapid. People who suffer from manic depression have an extremely high rate of suicide.
visit depression.about.co

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 7:29 PM on October 14, 2008

Types of Depression :

1.Major Depression
2.Atypical Depression
3.Psychotic Depression
4.Dysthymia
5.Manic Depression

Answered by Vinay Kiran , an ibibo Specialist, at 7:28 PM on October 14, 2008

Types of Depression:

Major depression - It is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, study, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. Such a disabling episode of depression may occur only once but more commonly occurs several times in a lifetime.

Dysthymia - involves long-term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep one from functioning well or from feeling good.

Bipolar disorder - is characterized by cycling mood changes. It is also called manic- depressive illness. Bipolar disorder involves cycles of depression and elation or mania. Mania often affects thinking, judgment, and social behavior in ways that cause serious problems and embarrassment. This phase is often a chronic recurring condition.

Answered by Alok , an ibibo Master, at 6:00 PM on October 14, 2008