The types of depression that exist run from mild to chronic, and may go undiagnosed if medical attention is not sought out.

Are you depressed?

The key to getting help with your problem is education. Once you better understand your problem you will know what you need to do to cope and improve.

Depression is a disorder of moods, marked by feeling hopeless, helpless, and worthless. You may find yourself either sleeping too much or not enough. You may also be experiencing mood swings.

You can be extremely buoyant one week and heavily depressed the next. These are just a few of the symptoms that may indicate depression.

Types of depression:

Unipolar depression:

This is the most common form and is indicated by all the major symptoms. This form of depression will usually last for around six months and falls under the clinical depression classification.

Bipolar depressive disorder:

Bipolar depressive disorder is also known as manic-depressive disorder. The manic depressive alternates between feelings of intense happiness and deep depression.

Bipolar depression is chronic and treatment lasts a lifetime. Many famous people have been diagnosed with this type of depression, and it has not kept them from enjoying a normal life with proper medication and management. Symptoms of manic depression include:

Grandiose and inflated sense of self-esteem and feelings of invincibility. A reduced need for sleep. Extremely talkative and very rapid speech. Racing thoughts, and increased physical activity, can't be still, and heightened need to set goals and take action. Impulsive, thrill seeking with reckless sexuality. Overspending, or irrational schemes with no regard to consequences

Dysthymia:

Dysthymia is a mild form of depression, that is chronic lasting two years or more. It may also be accompanied by major depressive episodes.

Atypical Depression: Is most often seen in women and is characterized by eating too much, sleeping for long periods, panic attacks, and very sensitive emotionally.

Psychotic Depression: This is a more severe case in which delusions will be experienced and you may see visions or hear voices.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): This is cyclical in nature and tends to be worse in the winter months. It is believed to be related to the levels of sunlight.

Common symptoms of depression include:

- Easily agitated.

- Large appetite changes causing either loss or gain of weight.

- Difficulty concentrating.

- Flat affect - No facial expressions.

- Extreme fatigue.

- Feelings of hopelessness, loss of self worth and helplessness.

- Feelings of self-hate, and inappropriate guilt.

- Withdrawal from life's daily activities that were previously enjoyed.

- Thoughts of death or suicide.

- Insomnia.

- Sleeping too much.

- Loss of sex drive.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of depression or think you may be depressed, contact your doctor immediately for consultation and testing for depression.

If you have been diagnosed with depression, it is important for you to realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Your condition can be treated and normalcy can be returned to your life.

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Jared Wright is the marketing manager of Clivir.com - the free learning community site. You can learn more about depression issues such as depression counseling clinics and manic depression tests by clicking the links.