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Depression is not a small societal problem. It affects a rather large segment of our population. The word depression is a broad topic, and actually there are a variety of different type of the condition known as depression. These different types of depression are defined by different types of symptoms that are present.

The most commonly type of depression treated today is known as major depression. Major depression is denoted by a lack of energy by the individual, unable to get a good night's sleep, and just a general lethargic feeling or feeling blue for extended periods of time with no breaks in the mood and no apparent cause for the feelings.

For those suffering from major depression they have a tendency to stop doing those things that they normally enjoy doing. Major depression can be a condition that will not go away without proper treatment. These symptoms of major depression are usually defined as such when they persist for a period of at least two weeks without leaving. Although some people do get and stay better after a bout with major depression, many times the individual will have to do battle with these conditions several times throughout their lifetime.

Dysthymia is a type of depression that is not as severe as a major depression and is not as commonly discussed. People of suffer from dysthymia will often have the same symptoms of major depression just to a lessor degree. They may also only experience a select few of the symptoms that accompany a major depression. Due to the less pronounced symptoms a person who suffers from dysthymia can sometime do so for their entire lives without getting treatment.

A different type of depression and a very specific type is bipolar disorder. Bipolar doesn't occur nearly as frequently as the other forms of depression. This type of disorder is earmarked by the afflicted individual experiencing both extreme emotional highs along with extreme emotional lows. Because of the nature of these extremes, a person suffering from bipolar disorder can have their way of life devastated. During the highs they may become overly excited, very talkative, and even spend large amounts of money. While the low side is fraught with feeling blue and unsociable. This bipolar type of condition is one that needs to be addressed in order to be control-able.

If you suspect that someone that is close to you is experiencing any of these types of symptoms of the various depression sorts, you should recommend that they consider seeking professional assistance to get them on track.

Even though depression is a mental disorder, it presents itself as very real physical symptoms and should not be taken lightly. Healthcare providers today have a variety of options to treat depression including medications if necessary.

With depression it is not just a matter of 'snapping out of it'. If symptoms persist, get some help.