Major depression is the only mental health disorder that can appear to reduce all of the great, rich, complex things that make up you and your life to a single suffering. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), almost 20 million adults in the United States suffer from at least one episode of severe depression each year.

Depression affects people of all ages, genders, colors, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It can strike suddenly, present intermittently, or endure a lifetime if left untreated. And it can be disastrous, limiting one’s capacity to execute essential life activities. 

However, the good news is that major depressive disorder (MDD) is very curable and usually resolves within a few months. The vast majority of persons suffering from depression will recover completely. If you’re reading this and feeling hopeless, know that with the caring care and experience of a mental health professional, you may learn to manage, conquer, and prevent depressive episodes. 

 What Are the Types of Depression?

Many types of depression have symptoms that overlap. However, because different treatment modalities are better suited for different subtypes of mood illness, a precise diagnosis is still important.

• Mild depression
• Major depressive disorder (MDD)
• Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
• Bipolar II disorder
• Cyclothymic disorder
• Postpartum depression (PPD) or perinatal depression (PND)
• Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) or dysthymia
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Situational depression
• Psychotic depression
• Atypical depression
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

What Are the Root Causes of Depression?

Depression is a normal, adaptive human response to stress and pain. However, the major depressive disorder may be to blame when a low mood becomes persistent, severe, and dysregulated.

Neuroscientists, psychologists, and psychiatrists are still striving to unravel the complexities of this mental health disorder, but they have found the following risk factors that may lead to depression:

1. Genetics.

A family history of depression is similar to a family history of alcoholism or heart disease in that it serves as a warning to take care of oneself and avoid physical and emotional causes.

2. Neurochemistry.

Depression is linked to neurochemical imbalances and alterations in neurocircuitry, which are frequently treated with drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).