Professional clinical depression screening tests include a complex set of questions combined with medical observation and evaluation. While this cannot be duplicated online, this free depression test can help bring your depression symptoms into focus and show if you need to be evaluated by a professional.  We also have a short depression quiz, if you are interested in that.

Take Depression Screening Test

For this online depression screening test, think about your mood and activities over the last two weeks. Note whether you agree or disagree with the following depression test questions:

1. I have felt a low or depressed mood almost every day.
2. I have lost all interest in activities I used to find pleasurable.
3. My weight or appetite has significantly changed.
4. My sleep has been disturbed.
5. I find myself feeling restless or slowed down.
6. I have no energy.
7. I feel worthless.
8. I find focusing or make decisions difficult.
9. I keep thinking about death or suicide.
10. I feel rejected by others.
11. These feelings cause significant distress and negatively impact my day-to-day life.

Depression Test Scoring

If you answered "agree" to five or more of the depression test statements, including statement one, two or both, you may be depressed. Note that depression is only typically diagnosed when it negatively impacts day-to-day functioning – in other words answering, "agree" to statement 11.

If this free online depression test suggests you are depressed, you should see a professional healthcare provider for a medical assessment for a mood disorder. Note this online depression test is not designed to rule out other disorders such as bipolar disorder, but a professional exam will be able to do so.

See also:

• Signs of Depression: Depression Warning Signs
• Types of Depression – Different Types of Depression
• Depression Treatment Options
• Recognizing Symptoms of Depression in Teens and Children

Depression is a common mental illness occurring in children, teenagers and adults. According to depression facts, it's estimated the lifetime prevalence of depressive disorder in the U.S. is 20% in women and 12% in men.¹ It's not known why the depression statistics vary by gender, but a possible answer is women are more open to discussing their emotional health and are diagnosed more frequently. Another little known depression fact: depression symptoms become more severe with age.

According to depression statistics, 70%-80% of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) experience significant reduction in symptoms when treated. Nevertheless, many people continue to live with depression and do not seek treatment. Facts about untreated depression include:

• 40% of people will continue to meet the diagnostic criteria in one year if not treated
• People with untreated depression die, on average, 25 years sooner²
• Children born to depressed mothers show increased irritability, less attentiveness, fewer facial expressions and lower birth weights.

Child and Teenage Depression Facts and Statistics

While the rate of depression is highest in ages 25-44, child and teen depression statistics show an alarmingly high number of youths affected by depression. The incidence of depression has been measured at:

• 0.9% in preschool-aged children
• 1.9% in school-aged children
• 4.7% in adolescents

According to child and teenage depression statistics, depression is seen equally in males and females until puberty when the ratio shifts towards women.

Race, social class and income also appear to affect rates of depression. Hispanic youths in Los Angeles (age 12-17) were noted for reporting more depressive symptoms than adolescents of other races.

Facts and Statistics About Depression in the Elderly

Statistics on depression in the elderly show those with late-onset depression, particularly those with a disability, have poorer outcomes. Forty percent of these patients will have chronic or continuously recurring depression. This may explain, in part, why the highest risk of death by suicide is among elderly men.

Additional facts about depression in the elderly include:

• Late-onset depression has been reported to double the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and the likelihood that mild cognitive impairment will develop into dementia.
• Depression treatment is thought to reduce the risk of impairment.
• The elderly tend to have more physical handicaps and fewer social supports, leading to a less-favorable prognosis.

Suicide and Depression Facts

Depression is thought to be involved in half of all suicides and up to 15% of people with disorders like depression will die of suicide. Men commit suicide more often than women at a rate of 4.5:1. It is thought this is due to the method men use for suicide, which often involve firearms.

Other suicide and depression facts and statistics include:

• Women tend to use poisoning as a method of suicide.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents and the third leading cause of death in young people (age 15-24).
• Antidepressants may reduce the chance of suicide.

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The effects of depression can be devastating in all areas of a person's life. The side effects of depression can often be seen at work, school and home as well as in the personal relationships of the patient. Diagnosis and treatment minimizes the effects of depression so early intervention is key. Without depression treatment, 40% of depressed individuals will still meet a diagnosis of depression after one year.

Depression often affects people during periods of change in their lives. The effects of depression on pregnancy include lower birthrates and preterm labor.¹ Babies born to depressed mothers also show:²

• Increased irritability
• Less activity
• Less attentiveness
• Fewer facial expressions

The most serious effect of depression is a suicide attempt or completion. Up to 15% of people with affective disorders, like depression, commit suicide.

Physical Effects of Depression

The physical effects of depression impact the brain, heart and other parts of the body. Research shows that depression negatively affects the brain. A decrease in brain volume is one of the most disturbing side effects of depression. Fortunately, antidepressants appear to be able to reverse this brain volume loss.³

Depression and pain are also inter-related. You can read more about the pain of depression here.

Long-term depression is also known to negatively impact the heart. Depression causes inappropriate release of adrenaline which, over time, damages the cardiovascular system. An increase in artery and blood vessel stress are further health effects of depression. This can increase the risk of blood clots and heart attack.⁴

The effects of depression cause an overall increase in mortality, where those with depression may die 25 years sooner than the average person. This is thought to be due to both the physical and social side effects of depression.

Social Effects of Depression

In addition to the health effects of depression, patients experience social effects as well. The social effects of depression change how a person functions in the world and their relationship with others. Social effects of depression include:

• Substance use and abuse
• Social and family withdrawal
• Decreased performance at work or school

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Diagnosis of depression, and other mental illnesses, is different than for many other medical conditions. The depression diagnosis relies on information supplied by the patient both passively (how a patient looks, for example) and through interviews. While this may seem haphazard, a depression diagnosis is highly standardized. Depression diagnostic criteria are clearly laid out, as is the examination used to evaluate those criteria.

Diagnostic Criteria for Depression

Depression diagnostic criteria are set forth in the latest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR). The DSM is used to diagnose all mental illness. A DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of depression meets at least five of the following criteria for at least two weeks:¹

• Depressed mood (For children and adolescents, this can also be an irritable mood. See: Depression in Children)
• Diminished interest or loss of pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia)
• Significant weight change or appetite disturbance (For children, this can be failure to achieve expected weight gain.)
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia or hypersomnia) (See: Depression and Sleep Disorders)
• Psychomotor agitation or retardation
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate; indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal (See: Suicide, Suicide Thoughts)
• A pattern of long-standing interpersonal rejection ideation, suicide attempt, or specific plan for suicide

Additional depression diagnosis criteria are as follows:

• At least one of the symptoms must be diminished interest/pleasure or depressed mood.
• The symptoms must cause significant distress or impairment of functioning in social, occupational, or other important areas.
• Depression should not have been precipitated by the direct action of a substance or a general medical condition.
• Symptoms should not meet criteria for a mixed episode (ie, for both manic and depressive episode). (See: Differences Between Unipolar Depression and Bipolar Depression)
• Symptoms are not better accounted for by bereavement (ie, the symptoms persist for longer than 2 months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, morbid preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation, psychotic symptoms, or psychomotor retardation). (See also: Psychotic Depression Symptoms and Treatment)
• A major depressive episode should not be superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or a psychotic disorder not otherwise specified (NOS).

Depression Diagnosis Tests

While biological changes are evident in those with depression, there is no physiological test for a depression diagnosis. Instead, medical tests are used to rule out other possible causes of the patient's symptoms and a history and mental status examination is completed.

Categories of physical illnesses that may account for depressive symptoms include:²

• Infection
• Medication
• Endocrine (such as a thyroid problem)
• Tumor
• Neurologic disorder

The Mental Status Examination (MSE) is a methodical test for diagnosing depression. An MSE considers how a patient looks and acts as well as their responses to specific questions relating to diagnosis of clinical depression and other mental disorders. Areas included in an MSE include:³

• How the patient looks and their attitude towards the doctor
• Evaluation of projected and perceived mood
• Speech irregularities
• Thought process and thought content irregularities
• Insight, judgment, impulsivity and reliability

Take our free online depression test here.

After the Depression Diagnosis

A diagnosis of major depressive disorder can be upsetting or frightening to a person and may affect his self-image and self-esteem. A comprehensive treatment plan, including education on a depression diagnosis is the best way to help the patient work through these feelings.

It's important to realize that 70%-80% of individuals with major depressive disorder respond to treatment, although up to 50% of patients may not respond to the first treatment. (See: Depression Treatment Options)

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When an individual tries to figure out what caused the depression, each person looks at many factors. For some, the probable cause or causes of their depression can be found but for many, it cannot. Depression is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, physical and psychological factors. Here is a look at what can, and cannot, cause depression.

Does Birth Control Cause Depression?

Birth control comes in many forms but all birth control contains differing amounts of estrogen and progestin (including progestin-only pills). While hormones are known to play a role in depression, birth control rarely causes depression; although it is more likely in pills higher in progestin. Depression has been reported as a birth control side effect; however, birth control pills have also been shown safe in women with depression.¹

Can Alcohol Cause Depression?

Alcohol is a depressant and acts on the brain in varied and complex ways. Among other things, alcohol affects serotonin and glutamate, two chemicals thought to play a role in depression and about 40% of those who drink heavily show depressive symptoms.² While alcohol likely does not cause depression directly, drinking does increase the risk of depression and tends to worsen existing depression symptoms. Alcohol can also cause severe interactions with some depression medications. ³

Read more information about Alcoholism and Depression.

Can Facebook Cause Depression?

While the idea that Facebook causes depression may seem outlandish, there are psychological impacts of social media that can contribute to feelings of loneliness and lower life satisfaction.⁴ Teens that spend too much time online tend to overestimate the positive aspects of the lives of their friends, seeing only the positive information their friends share on Facebook. This leads teens to feel like they don't measure up to their friends and they may overcompensate by trying too hard to reach unachievable goals. Cyber-bullying, which commonly occurs on Facebook, is another possible cause of teen depression.

Does Marijuana Cause Depression?

Heavy marijuana smokers are diagnosed with depression more frequently than nonsmokers; however, it is not thought marijuana causes depression directly.⁵ It is thought many people with depression use marijuana as a way to cope with their depressive symptoms. A 2007 study shows small amounts of the active chemical in marijuana (THC), can actually reduce depressive symptoms while larger doses worsen depression and other mental illnesses.⁶

In-depth information on marijuana and depression.

Foods That Cause Depression

It's unlikely diet causes depression directly and no food has been found to cause depression. However, an unhealthy diet has been shown to increase your risk of developing depression as well as other illnesses. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables, emphasizing fish over dairy and meat products, appears to lower the risk in developing illnesses like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.⁷ Those with depression may also want to limit caffeine intake. While caffeine doesn't cause depression, it can disrupt sleep which can worsen depressive symptoms.⁸

Can Low Testosterone Cause Depression?

Low testosterone has not been conclusively identified as a cause of depression. However, low testosterone levels are associated with depression in older men.⁹

Can Antidepressants Cause Depression?

There is no documented evidence antidepressants cause depression; however, there is a warning on antidepressants indicating antidepressants may worsen depression symptoms. This warning was issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is called a "black box" warning, which is the most serious warning the FDA can place on a product. Particularly during the first weeks of treatment, it's important to look for changes in behavior, worsening depression symptoms and suicidal thoughts or behavior. Any changes should be reported to the prescribing physician immediately.¹⁰

Read more comprehensive information on Antidepressant Side Effects.

Does Menopause Cause Depression?

Changes in hormones may be a contributing factor to depression. In menopause, women experience changes in estrogen levels. Women, particularly those with a past history of depression, are at an increased risk of developing depression during menopause; however, menopause does not directly cause depression.

Can Pregnancy Cause Depression?

Pregnancy does not directly cause depression but can increase a woman's risk of developing depression dramatically. Postpartum depression is common with between 10% - 15% of women experiencing depression after the birth of a child. Postpartum depression is most common in women with existing risk factors such as:¹¹

• Previous mental illness
• Experiencing a stressful birth
• An unplanned pregnancy
• Lack of social support

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Our understanding of the causes of depression is evolving. While a single, definitive culprit has yet to be discovered, researchers have identified multiple factors that can lead to depression. On their own, each one is a risk factor for depression. Together, they add up to cause depression to develop. As we explore these factors, keep in mind that almost everyone experiences some of these elements from time to time. That’s a normal part of the ups and downs of life and doesn’t mean that someone has depression. It takes the prolonged presence of several depression symptoms to lead to the disorder. With that in mind, let’s explore the causes of depression.

List of Depression Causes

As researchers continue to look for answers about this frustrating, often debilitating illness, they are discovering factors that seem to be depression causes. These include:

• Genetics
• Biology
• One’s environment
• Social elements

Each of these has its own set of factors that are linked to depression. The more you know about them, the more you can minimize their effects or, when that’s not possible, at least be aware of what they are so you can monitor your mood and general health and stay ahead of depression or prevent a depression relapse.

Depression Causes within the Brain

Neurochemicals such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine help regulate mood and the sense of pleasure. If their levels become low or imbalanced, the brain doesn’t work optimally, mood isn’t regulated evenly or correctly, and depression can arise.

Structures within the brain are involved in depression as well. The prefrontal cortex, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus are involved, among other functions, in stress responses, emotions both negative and positive, and thoughts.  As with the brain’s neurochemistry, the brain’s structures can become thrown off-kilter and lead to depression as a result.

In addition to activity within the brain, outside factors impact the brain and its ability to keep us depression-free. Any of the other causative factors can change or interfere in how the brain operates.

Genetics can fall into this category as well. Having a first-degree relative—a parent, sibling, or child—with depression increases someone’s chances of also developing depression. This isn’t a guarantee, of course, and minimizing other depression causes can help negate heredity.

Biology: Depression Causes in the Body

Medical conditions and the medications use to treat them can be causes of depression. Serious, chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease (to name just a few) can lead to depression or worsen existing depression.

Living with chronic pain, worry about poor health and its limitations, and managing serious illnesses on a daily basis takes its toll on mental health. The impact of medical conditions and reacting to them negatively long-term can be a significant cause of depression.

Certain medications can also play a role in the development of depression. Side effects can be numerous and dangerous, and they have been implicated in depression.

Causes of Depression: Things in One’s Environment and Social Factors

Your environment encompasses all aspects of your life in the world around you. Life events can greatly influence mood, thoughts, feelings, outlook, and actions. When someone experiences multiple negative situations, too few positive elements, or both, they can become clinically depressed.

Some examples of environmental and social factors that can contribute to depression are

• Loss of a job and a subsequent period of unemployment
• Prolonged intense stress
• Long-term isolation
• Loneliness
• Abuse in childhood or adulthood
• Experiencing trauma at any age
• Being in an emotionally distant relationship
• A tendency to interpret environmental aspects, other people, and oneself more negatively than positively
• A strong sense of pessimism

Depression doesn’t happen because of just one single cause. Both the illness and people themselves are too complex for that. It arises when someone is dealing with multiple factors, especially from different categories.

Understanding depression causes is helpful. If you or someone you care about is dealing with multiple causes of depression on an ongoing, long-term basis, recognizing the symptoms of depression and seeing a doctor or therapist if you are experiencing them can help you avoid developing depression or minimize its impact.

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If you or a loved one have been feeling down for a while, you might be wondering what the signs of depression are. This is understandable. Depression can be very serious and if you suspect you may have depression, you should look for the depression signs.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a mental illness that is primarily characterized by a down (or depressed) mood or by a lack of interest in some or all activities. Major depression, also known as major depressive disorder, is a combination of at least five symptoms over the minimum of a two-week period.

Depression Signs

Early signs of depression are known as prodromal depression symptoms. Prodromal symptoms of depression are typically similar to the symptoms of depression, but they are present before a person meets the formal diagnosis of depression. It should be noted that the presence of prodromal depression symptoms will not always lead to full-blown depression.

Each person is an individual and thus is likely to have their own depression warning signs. That said, according to “Study of Prodromal and Residual Symptoms of Depression,” many people share common signs of depression. According to that study, the following are depression warning signs experienced by more than 20 percent of people studied that would go on to experience full major depressive disorder:

• Irritability – 45 percent
• Insomnia – 45 percent
• Reduced energy – 43.8 percent
• Increased fatigue – 36.3 percent
• Interrupted sleep – 36.3 percent
• Psychic tension – 32.5 percent
• Psychic anxiety – 28.7 percent
• Early morning awakening – 26.3 percent
• Decrease in sleep duration – 22.5 percent

Of the 80 people studied, all had at least one depression sign in the weeks before they were diagnosed with depression. People experienced depression signs, on average, 64 days before diagnosis, however, onset of the signs of depression ranged from 20 to 300 days.

Risk Factors that Should Make You Look for Depression Signs

While the following may not be official depression warning signs, these risk factors may make you more likely to experience depression. So, if you have these risk factors, you may want to screen for depression signs regularly to ensure depression doesn’t sneak up on you.

The risk factors that may make you more vulnerable to depression include:

• Loneliness and isolation
• Relationship problems such as troubled, unhappy or abusive relationships
• Recent stressful life experiences, bereavement, divorce or unemployment
• Chronic illness or pain; recent diagnosis of illness
• Family history of depression
• Personality traits such as a predominantly negative outlook, being overly self-critical or low self-esteem
• Early childhood trauma or abuse
• Alcohol or drug abuse

It’s important to remember that while risk factors may increase your chances of experiencing depression, it doesn’t mean you will experience depression for sure.

If you see depression signs in yourself or if you’re concerned about the possibility of depression, make sure you talk to a healthcare provider such as your family doctor, a psychiatrist or psychologist.

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Depression is a mental illness known as a mood disorder, so some people think the only effects of depression are on mood. This, however, is not the case. Depression is linked to many physical symptoms including insomnia, lack of energy and loss of interest in sex. Physical pain from depression is also widely recognized with up to half of all people with depression reporting physical pain. In a study of 25,000 patients, 50% of depressed patients reported unexplained, physical symptoms of depression.¹

The physical pain of depression should be a major concern for doctors, as continuing pain reduces the chances for a successful recovery from depression and increases the possible risk of suicide.

Does Depression Cause Pain?

Just as depression is thought to be related to specific nerve pathways in the brain, so too is the transmission of the sensation of pain. It is thought that the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine that travel down the spinal cord from the brain to the rest of the body relate to the feelings of pain. Serotonin and norepinephrine are also widely thought to be involved in mood disorders, so it's likely that dysfunction in this system would affect both depression and pain.

Pain and Depression

According to Harvard Medical School, "Pain is depressing, and depression causes and intensifies pain." People with chronic pain have three times the risk of developing a psychiatric disorder like depression, and those with depression have three times the risk of developing chronic pain.²

Serious, painful medical conditions are known to complicate and increase the likelihood of depression. Conditions commonly seen co-existing with depression include:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Lupus
• Heart disease
• Anxiety / PTSD (read about: Anxiety and Depression)
• Cancer
• Alzheimer's
• HIV / AIDS

Research has shown that when depression occurs with another severe illness, depression symptoms tend to be more severe. However, treating the depression can help both the mental illness and the co-existing medical condition.³

In fact, when a person seeks treatment for depression, often their mood isn't their chief complaint. Often they are there because of physical symptoms and it's up to the doctor to make the link between depression and pain.

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Depression can cause many physical symptoms, some related directly to pain and others not. General physical symptoms of depression include:

• Oversleeping / undersleeping
• Chronic fatigue, tiredness
• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Loss of sex drive
• Slowed thinking and movements
• Memory difficulties, inability to make decisions

In addition to the above physical symptoms of depression, physical pain from depression can include the following:

• Headaches, migraines
• Abdominal pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Muscle and joint pain, often in the back
• Arthritis

Now that you better understand the physical symptoms of depression and the "pain of depression", did you know depression also causes cognitive dysfunction; problems with thinking, memory and more? Read about them.

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The depressive disorder symptoms are common when considered in isolation but constitute an illness when depression symptoms occur in a group. For example, many people experience sleep disturbance (oversleeping or undersleeping) and taken alone, this is not a mental illness, but when that occurs for a certain length of time in combination with other symptoms, like a depressed mood and a lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, among others, it becomes known as major depressive disorder. Major depressive disorder symptoms are defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).

Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms

Major depression, also known as major depressive disorder or MDD, is diagnosed when five or more of the following happen during the same two-week period (at least one must be diminished interest or pleasure or depressed mood):

• Depressed mood (for children and adolescents, this can also be an irritable mood)
• Diminished interest or loss of pleasure in almost all activities (anhedonia)
• Significant weight change or appetite disturbance (for children, this can be failure to achieve expected weight gain)
• Sleep disturbance (insomnia [sleeping too little] or hypersomnia [sleeping too much])
• Psychomotor agitation (anxious restlessness that can cause involuntary movements, among other things) or retardation (psychological and physiological slowing)
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness
• Diminished ability to think or concentrate; indecisiveness
• Recurrent thoughts of death, recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or specific plan for committing suicide

Other Depressive Symptoms

While major depressive disorder symptoms are the most common, there are other depressive disorders that have their own specific symptoms. Examples include:

• Depression with anxious distress – contains additional depressive symptoms like feeling keyed up or restless or a fear that something awful will happen, among others
• Depression with melancholic features – contains additional depressive symptoms like excessive guilt or waking up two hours earlier than usual, among others
• Depression with catatonia – contains additional depressive symptoms like grimacing, stupor (near unconsciousness), or exhibiting extreme negativity, among others
• Atypical depression – contains additional depressive symptoms like rejection sensitivity or feelings of heaviness in the arms, among others
• Major depressive disorder with psychotic features – contains additional depressive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions

Other Depressive Disorders

In addition to the above depressive disorder specifications, there are other depressive disorders that contain the same symptoms of major depressive disorder but act in unique ways. Examples of this include:

• Postpartum depression – a depressive disorder that occurs after the birth of a baby; peripartum onset depression (depression that begins while pregnant) can also occur
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a depressive disorder that occurs only at a specific time of year (usually winter) with full remission occurring at another time of year (usually summer)
• Recurrent brief depression – a depressive disorder with frequent, short-lasting (usually only a few days), severe depressive episodes
• Short duration depressive episode – a depressive disorder with a shorter duration than two weeks
• Depressive episode with insufficient symptoms – a depressive disorder that does not meet the specific criteria for any of the above disorders

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The Different Types of Depression

Depression is a common, treatable mental illness that can be experienced at any time in life. While the term "depression" always indicates a low or depressed mood, there are several types of depression. These different types of depression describe slight, but often important, diagnostic differences. Only a doctor can diagnose what type of depression you have.¹

Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder is the type of depression on which other types are built. While other types of depression have specific features, they must all match the diagnosis of major depressive disorder as well.

Major depressive disorder is made up of one or more major depressive episodes which severely impact life functioning. A major depressive episode is two weeks or more of exhibiting five of the following symptoms (at least one of which must be of the top two):

• A depressed mood (a low mood, sadness)
• Loss of pleasure in previously pleasurable activities
• Weight and appetite changes
• Sleep disturbance
• Increase or decrease in speed of muscle activity
• Fatigue, loss of energy
• Extremely low self-esteem
• Difficulty with thinking and concentration
• Repeated thoughts of death, dying or suicide
• A suicide attempt or plan

In order to be diagnosed with this type of depression, the symptoms must not be better explained by another physical or psychological disorder.

Depression with Melancholic Features

This form of depression requires a lack of pleasure from almost all stimuli previously found pleasurable and requires the addition of at least three of the following symptoms:

• A depressed mood that is distinctly different then that felt when a loved one dies
• Depression that is worse in the morning
• Waking up 2 hours earlier than usual
• Observable muscle slowing or speeding up
• Significant weight loss or anorexia
• Extreme feelings of guilt

Depression with Catatonic Features

This type of depression can be very hard to treat due to the withdrawal of the patient from all those around them. Depression with catatonic features requires two of the following symptoms:

• Muscle immobility, trance-like
• Muscle activity without reason
• Extreme negativism or mutism
• Unusual posturing, grimacing and movements
• Repetition of the words or actions of others

Atypical Depression

Atypical depression includes a mood that is changeable by outside stimuli. Two or more of the following symptoms must also be present:

• Significant weight gain or appetite
• Increased sleep
• Feelings of heaviness in the extremities that lead to impaired functioning
• Sensitivity to interpersonal rejection

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder, often known as SAD, is one of the types of depression that require specific timing of depressive episodes rather than a specific set of symptoms. This type of depression requires depressive episodes that correspond with a season. These depressive episodes must have occurred for at least two years and the seasonal depressive episodes must significantly outnumber the nonseasonal episodes (if present).

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) also depends on episode timing. While most new mothers experience the "baby blues," a full-blown major depressive episode can develop for between 10% - 15% of women following childbirth. PPD is made up of major depressive episode(s) indistinguishable from any other major depressive episode, with the exception of timing. Extreme sadness, tearfulness, anxiety and despair are common in this type of depression.

Depressive Disorders Not Otherwise Specified

As with most mental illness, there is a type of depression known as not otherwise specified (NOS), which allows a clinician to diagnose depression in someone who does not perfectly fit into the current diagnostic model. Post-coital dysphoria, or depression after sex, may fall into the NOS depression category.

Dysthymia

Dysthymia is sometimes confused with a subtype of depression but is actually a disorder in its own right. Dysthymia is diagnosed in children and adolescents when a depressed or irritable mood is present for more than one year. Dysthymia is not considered as severe a diagnosis as other types of depression.²

Dysthymia diagnosis is complicated, as it must take into account the individual’s developmental stage and personal history. However, many of the symptoms of other types of depression are part of the diagnostic criteria of dysthymia. Dysthymia is only diagnosed when another type of depression does not better explain the symptoms.

More information on:

• Atypical Depression
• Dysthymia
• Major Depression
• Postpartum Depression
• PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Seasonal Affective Disorder

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