The first year of my stroke in 2009, I was depressed, so much so that I was embarrassed to go outside and socialize. I thought everyone was staring at me when, the fact I learned much later, most people stare at everybody all the time. I wanted to commit suicide because I thought my life was over. But I didn’t and it wasn’t. Little did I know at first that there was a life out there beyond the stroke. Depression took me, albeit 8 years later, to a different, less stressful, more peaceful place.
According to WebMD (that glosses over topics for the average reader, just enough to know whether you should go see someone right away), there are 9 types of depression. If you suspect depression in yourself or a loved one, even close friends, get help or advise help. There’s no need to suffer.
Major Depression
- No interest or pleasure in the activities you liked to do before
- Weight gain or loss if it wasn’t intentional
- Difficulty with sleep–getting to sleep or daytime sleepiness
- Physical or mental restlessness or agitation
- Tired with no energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
- Trouble making decisions or concentrating
- Thoughts of suicide
Persistent Depressive Disorder
- Overeating or eating too little
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Significant fatigue or loss of energy
- Poor self-esteem
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Feeling hopelessness
Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar Disorder, sometimes called Manic Depression, has someone with mood episodes be saddled with extraordinary high energy in addition to low depressive periods.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a period of major depression, usually occurs during the winter months, short days with less sunlight. If you have SAD, antidepressants can help, but a bright light box for about 15-30 minutes each day may help instead. They’re available on Amazon by typing in “bright light for SAD” in the Search box.
Psychotic Depression
Postpartum Depression
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Trouble concentrating
- Fatigue
- Change in appetite or sleep habits
- Feelings of being overwhelmed
Situational Depression
Atypical Depression
- Increased appetite
- Sleeping more than usual
- Feeling of heaviness in your arms and legs
- Oversensitive to criticism
The National Institutes of Health reports:
- An estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 7.1% of all U.S. adults.
- The prevalence of major depressive episode was higher among adult females (8.7%) compared to males (5.3%).
- The prevalence of adults with a major depressive episode was highest among individuals aged 18-25 (13.1%).
- “You just need to give yourself a kick in the rear.”
- “It’s all in your head.”
- “I thought you were stronger than that.”
- “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.”
- “No one ever said life was fair.”
- “Why don’t you just grow up?”
- “There are a lot of people worse off than you.”
- “You think you’ve got problems…”
- “Everybody has a bad day now and then.”
- And my all-time un-favorite: “Just don’t think about it.”
