What is thing you might have and don’t know it?while Depression.When we hear the term depression what usually comes into our mind is a person who may consequently commit suicide due to a mental disorder characterized by persistently loss of interest in activities causing impairment in daily life.While that is correct,however,depression has so many different meaning and virtually everyone has some experience with it.In this article I will look at the four types of depression to better our understanding about it.Take note,this article does not represent a formal diagnostic model but it can be helpful in terms of knowing what one may be experiencing and get professional help.
<I>Situation Depression
This is the type of depression which is as a result of experiencing a very sad event or a series of traumatic events.If your response is sadness to situations such as a break-up,gettin rejected from a college you applied for or getting fired,if you’re sleeping too much in a dark room while it’s day light or if you’re having difficulties to sleep at night,if you’re feeling lonely and don’t want to be with people while you have many friends,then you’re experiencing situation depression.As humans it’s normal to feel sadness in response to negative event,even for extended period but when such feelings don’t stop for much longer[months] or when suicidal thoughts pops up and persists,the type of depression might be a different one.
<ii>Existensial Depression
Contraryto situational depression,Existensial depression is triggered by a positive event.How?This happens when one dedicates his/her life to a goal that is believed will provide self-actualization and add real meaning to life.This goal might be having a good career such as being a doctor,having a child or marriage.Regardless of the goal hard work and focus are put in and life gets organized around its attainment.Now Existensial depression kicks in when realization that after spending the entire life pursuing that one goal,the goal haven’t brought the joy and meaning as expected.When this happens individuals start to question whether their life have meaning or purpose,they start question who they are and they feel their entire life was a waste of time.Without the meaning they hoped to achieve,everything becomes meaningless and so joy is wiped out in their life.This type of depression is described as the trickiest.
<iii>Biological Depression
For this type changes in neurotransmitter and hormones lead to feeling of despair and anhedonia(lack of pleasure).In some cases these changes just simply create a physiological state known as Low Arousal Syndrome.Low Arousal Syndrome is accompanied by persistent fatigue,low metabolism,poor concentration and cognitive slowing.This syndrome itself is not depression,however,as failure begins to mount due to it,a pattern of negative thinking and low self esteem sets in and depression becomes the end result of this biochemical charges.
<iv>Psychological Depression
Theexperienceof having dreams and hopes shattered by reality is one of the worst to endure.Its makes people start having negative self talk and lose perspective.This is what Psychological Depression is concerned with,factors that Psychological influences us.
For some the main way to deal with such a problem is to deprive themselves of future hopes and dreams so that they are never disappointed again,it’s a defensive mechanism they ought to use against disappointment.However,overuse of this mechanism causes apathy and hopelessness
In addition to losing perspective, setting unrealistic expectations, and overusing defensive mechanisms, psychological depression can also be the result of a dysfunctional romantic relationship. In some cases, separation anxiety keeps people together, even though it is clear that they want different things in life.
To summer it up,in most cases, people suffer from not just one of the types of depression described above, but a combination. Again, a well-trained therapist can go a long way in helping people discern the mix of types of depression they have and devise a treatment plan based on their strengths, limitations, and personality type.
If you suffer from any of the types of depression it’s best to go under treatment with a well-trained therapist.