SUN Behavioral Kentucky Explains the Different Types of Depression

SUN Behavioral Kentucky, based in Erlanger, KY, has recently published a blog post explaining the different types of depression. These are: persistent depressive disorder (PDD), bipolar depression disorder, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), psychotic depression, peripartum (postpartum) depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), situational depression, prolonged grief disorder, atypical depression, and treatment-resistant depression. Depression is a common but severe mental health condition involving persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness that may even lead to suicide. Which is why people with depression need to get treated.

PDD can be mild, moderate, or severe and can persist for at least two years. While there may be periods where the symptoms lessen, they will eventually return. Symptoms of PDD include: anger or irritability, feelings of guilt, trouble falling or staying asleep, feeling sad, loss of interest and pleasure in activities, feelings of hopelessness, appetite changes, lack of energy or fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. The treatment for PDD involves both medications and psychotherapy.

Bipolar depression disorder is a mood disorder where the affected person experiences extreme lows, which are periods of depression, and extreme highs, which are periods of mania. Symptoms include: feeling sad and hopeless; loss of pleasure in activities; sleeping too much or not at all; loss of energy; feeling worthless, and thinking about suicide.

SAD is a relatively common condition and is often due to lower levels of serotonin and melatonin resulting from lack of exposure to sunlight (or conversely, too much light and heat.) Thus, it often happens when seasons change. Symptoms of SAD include: feeling hopeless, feeling sad most of the day, having low energy, problems sleeping too often, overeating or weight gain, trouble concentrating, feeling guilt and shame, and having thoughts of not wanting to live. Treatment for SAD may include psychotherapy, light therapy, and medications.

Psychotic depression is a severe type of clinical depression that often results in the patient having hallucinations or other forms of psychosis. Symptoms of psychotic depression include: aggression, anxiety, constipation, insomnia, hypochondria, low impulse control, laying around often, delusions or hallucinations, and problems with learning or problem-solving.

Peripartum (postpartum) depression is a kind of depression that affects pregnant women or women who just had a baby. Symptoms include: feeling sad, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, sleep issues, an increase in repetitive soothing movements, thoughts of suicide, crying for no reason, feelings of being a bad mother, and fear of harming the baby or themselves. If the symptoms only last for a week or two after delivering the baby, it is simply the baby blues, which is common for new mothers. But if it lasts for months or longer, it can be harmful and debilitating for the mother and child.

PMDD is a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome or PMS. It is a chronic mood disorder that typically affects women of childbearing age. Symptoms include: mood swings, irritability, anxiety and panic attacks, trouble concentrating, fatigue, headaches, suicidal thoughts, sadness, poor self-image, back pain, pelvic pain or pressure, and dizziness. PMDD is usually treated with antidepressants and birth control medication.

Situational depression happens when a person is under stress due to situations ranging from school problems to illnesses and death.

SUN Behavioral Health was established with the goal of working with communities to provide appropriate solutions for the unmet needs of people who are suffering from mental health and substance use disorders. They have a 197-bed psychiatric hospital in Erlanger, KY, which is strategically located only 10 minutes south of Cincinnati, OH. Their facility has the mission of a complete continuum of specialized care, such as inpatient and day hospital services, for children, adolescents, adults, and seniors with mental health illnesses or substance use disorders.

People who are interested in learning more about the services provided by SUN Behavioral Kentucky can visit their website, or contact them through the telephone or via email. They can be contacted 24 hours a day, from Sunday to Saturday.