There are different forms of depression. They differ, among other things, in the type and frequency of the symptoms, the cause and personality-specific characteristics:
Unipolar Depression
Unipolar depression is considered the “classic version”: Typical depression symptoms such as sadness and listlessness occur over a period of several weeks or months. Such a depressive episode often passes, especially thanks to therapy. However, after a period without symptoms, there is a risk that another depressive episode will occur.
Bipolar depression
In bipolar depression or bipolar disorder, depressive episodes alternate with manic phases. Typical features of mania are an excessive feeling of high, overexcited behavior and excess.
Dysthymia
In dysthymia, the depressive symptoms are less pronounced but are present for a long time. Therefore, this form is also referred to as “chronic depression”. Symptoms must have been present for at least two years to make a diagnosis.
Depression in children and adolescents
Depression also affects children and young people. It often manifests itself in them through symptoms such as sadness, withdrawal, but also tantrums. In particular, puberty as a time of upheaval with hormonal turbulence and stress makes young people particularly susceptible to depression.
Old age depression
For many people, growing old is a process that entails losses above all: Retiring from professional life and the feeling of no longer being needed plunges many into a void. This sets the stage for depression for some people.
Postnatal depression
Some women develop depression after childbirth . Doctors then speak of postnatal depression or postpartum depression. Colloquially it is also called postpartum depression . In some cases, depression also occurs for the first time during pregnancy.