Depression Guides
Understand depression types
Compare depressive presentations and understand diagnostic boundaries while keeping diagnostic and medical limits clear.
Depression disorders
Depression: Symptoms, Types and Treatment
Depression is more than a temporary low mood. It can change interest, energy, sleep, appetite, concentration, self-worth and the ability to function, and it deserves an assessment that considers severity, safety and possible bipolar symptoms.
DepressionUnipolar Depression
Unipolar depression usually refers to major depressive disorder without a history of mania or hypomania. Screening for past elevated or unusually irritable mood matters because bipolar depression requires a different treatment plan.
DepressionPersistent Depressive Disorder
Persistent depressive disorder describes a long-lasting depressed mood with additional symptoms and functional effects. Chronicity can make the condition feel like personality, but careful assessment and treatment can still help.
DepressionPsychotic Depression
Psychotic depression combines a severe depressive episode with delusions or hallucinations. It requires prompt specialist assessment because risk, diagnosis and treatment differ from non-psychotic depression.
DepressionSeasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal affective disorder is a recurrent depression pattern linked to a particular season, most often autumn or winter. A clinician should confirm the pattern and rule out bipolar disorder and medical contributors.
DepressionAtypical Depression
Atypical depression is a symptom pattern that can include mood reactivity, increased sleep or appetite, leaden feelings and sensitivity to rejection. The label does not mean symptoms are unusual or less serious.
DepressionMelancholic Depression
Melancholic features can include profound loss of pleasure, lack of mood reactivity, early waking, marked slowing or agitation, appetite loss and excessive guilt. Severity and safety need close attention.
DepressionHigh-Functioning Depression
“High-functioning depression” is not a formal diagnosis. It describes people who continue meeting visible responsibilities while experiencing significant symptoms, distress or exhaustion that still merit care.
DepressionSomatic Symptoms of Depression
Depression can be experienced through pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, appetite change and other physical symptoms. Medical causes should be evaluated rather than assuming every bodily symptom is psychological.
DepressionMixed Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms
Anxiety and depressive symptoms commonly overlap. Assessment should establish which patterns are present, how they affect functioning and whether another condition, medication or substance contributes.
DepressionLow Mood After a Major Event
A short emotional dip after an anticipated event can reflect fatigue, disrupted routine or loss of stimulation. Persistent, severe or unsafe symptoms should be assessed as possible depression rather than dismissed as a trend label.
DepressionPostcoital Dysphoria
Postcoital dysphoria refers to sadness, irritability or distress after consensual sex. It is not automatically depression; relationship, trauma, physical-health and broader mood factors may need sensitive assessment.
Related symptom guides
Apathy and Depression
Apathy involves reduced motivation or initiative and can occur with depression, neurological illness, medication effects or other conditions. It is related to, but distinct from, sadness and loss of pleasure.
SymptomsDepression and Brain Fog
Depression can make thinking, memory, attention and decision-making feel slow or effortful. Sudden confusion, neurological signs or rapidly worsening cognition need urgent medical assessment.
SymptomsHypersomnia and Depression
Sleeping excessively or struggling to stay awake can accompany depression, but sleep disorders, medicines, substances and medical conditions can look similar and should be considered.
SymptomsInsomnia and Depression
Insomnia can be a symptom, risk factor and maintaining factor for depression. Treating sleep directly may help, while reduced need for sleep with high energy can signal hypomania or mania.
SymptomsDepression and Overeating
Appetite can increase during depression, sometimes alongside emotional eating, shame or loss of routine. Assessment should avoid blame and consider eating disorders, medicines, sleep and metabolic health.
SymptomsLoss of Appetite and Depression
Depression may reduce appetite and weight, but significant or unexplained changes need medical review. Hydration, nutrition, medication effects and physical illness may require attention.
SymptomsLibido and Depression
Depression can reduce sexual desire through mood, fatigue, relationship strain and changes in reward. Antidepressants and physical conditions can also contribute, so treatment decisions should be individualized.
SymptomsDepression and Erectile Dysfunction
Depression and erectile difficulties can influence each other. Cardiovascular, hormonal, medication, substance and relationship factors should be assessed alongside mental health.
SymptomsDepression and Procrastination
What looks like procrastination may reflect low energy, hopelessness, impaired concentration or tasks that feel overwhelming. Small behavioral steps can help, but persistent impairment is not a moral failure.
SymptomsIrritability and Depression
Depression can appear as irritability, anger or low frustration tolerance, particularly in young people and some adults. Bipolar symptoms, trauma, substance use and safety still require assessment.
SymptomsGuilt, Worthlessness and Depression
Excessive guilt and worthlessness can be central depressive symptoms and may distort how a person interprets responsibility. Severe self-condemnation or suicidal thoughts require prompt support.
SymptomsFatigue and Depression
Depression-related fatigue can affect physical energy, motivation and thinking. Anaemia, thyroid disease, infection, sleep disorders, medicines and other medical causes can overlap.
SymptomsEmotional Numbness and Depression
Emotional numbness may occur in depression, trauma-related conditions, dissociation or as a medication effect. Its timing and broader symptom pattern help guide assessment.
SymptomsDepression and Suicidal Thoughts
Suicidal thoughts can occur with depression but should never be treated as an inevitable symptom. Immediate danger requires emergency help; any suicidal thinking deserves direct, compassionate assessment.
SymptomsPassive Suicidal Ideation
Wishing not to wake up or feeling life is not worth living is clinically important even without a current plan. Support should assess intent, access to means, protective factors and changes over time.