“Is depression a mental illness?” is a commonly asked question. To be clear, depression is an illness that will affect as many as one in ten Americans at some point in their life.[1] Since depression is a very serious mental illness, depression is a leading cause of disability, death, and economic damage in the world.[2] However, “Is depression a mental illness,” is a common question, not all depression is created equal. Indeed, there are many different types of depression, all of which come with different causes, symptoms, and potential methods of treatment.
As such, here is a look at some of the most notable types of depression, including what they are, what causes them, and how they can be treated.
Major Depressive Disorder
It is impossible to discuss if depression is a mental illness without examining a Major Depressive Disorder, one of the most common types of depression and one of the most deadly. Indeed, when someone is thinking if depression is a mental illness, they are almost certainly thinking of a major depressive disorder.
A Major Depressive Disorder is among the most severe types of depressive disorder. As the name implies, it is characterized by a severe loss of function, a decrease in appetite, loss of pleasure or interest in previously enjoyed activities, depressed mood, sleep disturbances, and more.[4]
One of the things that characterizes a Major Depressive Disorder versus other forms of depression, like a Persistent Depressive Disorder, is the severity and duration of symptoms. A Major Depressive Disorder is not only more severe, but it tends to be of a shorter duration: Two weeks versus two years.[4] As such, a Major Depressive Disorder is typically tied with an acute onset of symptoms. In more severe forms, it can be genuinely debilitating, stopping someone from going to work, attending school, socializing with others, and even being willing to get out of bed. This makes Major Depressive Disorder among the most severe and dangerous forms of mental illness.
As a result, an individual who is suffering from a Major Depressive Disorder may need immediate treatment in the form of therapy, medication, and potentially hospitalization if they are a danger to themselves and threatening suicide.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
A Persistent Depressive Disorder — formerly known as dysthymia — is very similar to a major depressive disorder. Someone who suffers from a Persistent Depressive Disorder will likely suffer from a similar or identical constellation of symptoms as an individual with a Major Depressive Disorder. This means that they may suffer from depressed mood, persistent feelings of doom or despair, a lack of pleasure in certain activities, a loss of appetite, sleep issues, and more. Persistent Depressive Disorder is relatively common, with studies indicating that 1.5% of all Americans actively have a PDD. Numbers increase to 2.5% in terms of lifetime prevalence.[5]
The primary difference between Persistent Depressive Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder is both duration and severity. Individuals who suffer from a Major Depressive Disorder are likely to be active in the throws of the entire array of depressive symptoms, causing severe disfunction during this period of crisis. People who suffer from Persistent Depressive Disorder will have suffered from these symptoms for at least two years. Furthermore, there is more likely to be an ebb and flow of these symptoms. They likely won’t be in a constant period of crisis but instead will periodically feel a variety of these symptoms that can best be characterized as “flare-ups.”[5]
Bipolar Disorder
When it comes to determining if depression is a mental illness, there are few forms of depression that can be more disabling than Bipolar Disorder. More than just causing mood swings, Bipolar Disorder — formerly known as Manic Depression — can cause a person to vacillate between two different moods. This swing can cause major life difficulties.
A Bipolar Disorder is defined as someone who swings between two different moods: A depression and a manic phase. Depression is characterized by many of the same symptoms as those of a Major Depressive Disorder and may be particularly debilitating or painful. The manic phase is characterized by extremely elevated moods, wild bursts of energy, and a loss of inhibitions that may cause a person to make foolish judgments in a variety of behavioral, financial, or sexual matters. Rather than being seen as a recovery, a manic phase is actually a sign of Bipolar Disorder and can be just as problematic as a depressive period. [6]
There are three types of Bipolar Disorders. They are:
- Bipolar I Disorder, which has manic days that can last at least one week and require hospitalization.
- Bipolar II Disorder, in which a person cycles through depressive and manic phases, but isn’t quite as severe as Bipolar I.
- Cyclothymia, in which a person will cycle between phases, but these phases are not as severe as Bipolar I or II.
Bipolar Disorder almost always requires a combination of medication and talk therapy in order to be appropriately treated. Getting the medication right is absolutely critical, as a failure to do so can make the symptoms of a depressive or manic phase much more extreme. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between bipolar disorders and substance use disorders, as people will often turn to drugs or alcohol in order to manage their symptoms.[7] This may require specialized treatment, like that offered by Transformations Treatment Center. It is important that these types of treatment facilities acknowledge that issues like Bipolar and Depression is a mental illness, but one that can be addressed.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
When it comes to questions about if depression is a mental illness, few people think about a relatively rare form of depression: Seasonal affective disorder or the “winter blues.” This form of depression is more likely to occur in the winter when the weather is colder, and there is less sunlight. Indeed, the lack of access to sunlight is believed to be one of the chief causes of this form of depression. [8]
Since this form of depression is a mental illness, it must be treated as such. In some cases, forms of therapy and medication can be helpful in addressing this form of mental illness. However, there are additional therapies, including spending more time outdoors (in the sun) or using certain forms of bright light.[9]
As you can see, wondering “Is depression a mental illness?” is not a comprehensive enough question. You should also be trying to determine the various types of depression that exist. If you know that depression is a mental illness, you can better understand its impacts. Depression increases the odds of suffering from a variety of other physical and emotional illnesses, including addiction. Thankfully, there are a variety of high-quality treatment facilities that can help someone battle their depression, recover, and lead a happier life. Transitions Treatment Center is one such example. The facility provides a variety of high-fidelity treatment options and has countless stories of people who have recovered from an array of psychological and addiction disorders.
Looking to start your recovery? Contact Transitions Treatment Centers today, and start the process of reclaiming your life.
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REFERENCES:
[1] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
[3] https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/depression/types-of-depression/
[4] https://www.nature.com/articles/nrdp201665
[5] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/persistent-depressive-disorder-dysthymic-disorder
[6] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder
[8] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6746555/
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