Negative beliefs about depression and mental health disorders play a big role in our personal experiences. It’s a common condition — in 2021, 8.3% of adults aged 18 or older (21 million people) had a major depressive episode within the past year. However, that number only includes people with severe symptoms for a period of at least two weeks. A 2023 Gallup poll with a broader definition of depression counted 17.8% of U.S. adults, over 44 million people, with depression symptoms. In the 2021 survey, only 47.2% of U.S. adults with a mental health disorder received treatment.

Though depression and other mental health conditions have been highly stigmatized for a long time, things are changing. According to the Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association conducted in 2018:

• 55% said they believed that “mental illnesses are different than serious physical illness.” 
• 39% said, “I would view someone differently if I knew they had a mental health disorder.” 
• 63% said they “view suicide as a selfish act,” but interestingly, 79% agreed that “less stigma and shame around mental health disorders would lower suicide rates.”
• 87% of U.S. adults agreed that “having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of.”

It seems that familiarity and experience can go a long way to improve attitudes toward mental health conditions. Adults over 65 consistently had a more positive outlook than those in younger age groups. 

Since October is Depression Awareness Month, we’re taking the opportunity to talk about different types of depression. This post outlines 10 types of depression, what they might feel like, and what treatments can help.

4 types of depression in the DSM-5 

Depression can look very different from person to person. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes several different patterns of depression that can show up in different life situations. Some are mostly passed down through generations, and some show up because of other medical conditions. Most often, multiple causes come together to bring on depression symptoms. The current standard of depression diagnosis in the U.S. is the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5.

The DSM-5 has diagnostic guidelines for the following types of depression in adults:

• Major depressive disorder (MDD) — This main category of “clinical depression” includes core symptoms like feelings of hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, and changes in diet or sleep habits. MDD can occur in distinct episodes of two weeks or more or as part of an ongoing condition.
• Persistent depressive disorder — Though persistent depressive disorder has less intense symptoms than MDD, a consistently low mood or lack of joy can be just as debilitating as episodic depression or even more so. Most people with this type of depression have another family member with the same condition.
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) — This type of depression involves significant anxiety or depression symptoms in the days before menstruation.
• Depressive disorder due to another medical condition — People with different types of chronic illness, disability or terminal illness may experience depression symptoms.

6 additional types of depression

There are some other variations of depression that fall into other diagnostic categories. People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and bipolar disorder may experience depression symptoms. Postpartum depression is another common pattern among women, and psychotic depression has some additional symptoms.

People with the following conditions also experience depression symptoms:

• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — This isn’t quite the same thing as “seasonal depression.” Winter pattern SAD often brings on depression symptoms during the colder, darker part of the year. There’s also a summer pattern that can look more like an anxiety disorder. It’s more common in places that get a lot of sunlight year-round.
• Perinatal or postpartum depression — Depression symptoms during pregnancy and up to a year afterward are known as perinatal or postpartum depression.
• Psychotic depression — When depression symptoms are accompanied by delusions or hallucinations, it’s known as psychotic depression. People may experience auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) or paranoia.
• Depression with mixed features — This diagnosis is for people with symptoms of both depression and mania or hypomania that don’t meet the full criteria for bipolar disorder. 
• Depression with anxious distress — This specifier is for people with depression and symptoms of anxiety, tension or restlessness that may impact their treatment outlook or care decisions.
• Bipolar depression — People with bipolar disorder experience unique patterns of both depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes.

Find relief from depression at Lightfully

There are other varieties of depression besides the ones listed here, but those are mainly diagnoses used for children. If you can relate to any of these depression patterns, you’re not alone. Finding the right kind of treatment can help you learn to manage your depression, and many people are able to reduce their symptoms. Most often, it takes a combination of therapy and medication, but every person is different.

At Lightfully, we provide a higher level of mental health care for people who have a hard time functioning with their condition. We’ve helped plenty of clients understand their depression better and find a more positive outlook. Our programs combine one-on-one treatments with powerful group therapies. We have conversations every day that empower our clients to let go of their shame around mental health disorders and understand that they’re not defined by their depression. Those are the first steps toward reclaiming your life and creating a new path forward.

Are you curious about what these productive mental health conversations sound like? Join us for our free weekly support group and find out for yourself. 

Talking about your depression can make the burden feel a bit lighter. We’re here to listen. Contact us with any questions about treatment or to schedule an assessment.