Understanding Depressive and Other Related Disorders
While some depressive symptoms (i.e., sadness) are a normal experience for everyone, depressive and other related disorders are characterized by significant distress or impairment in social, academic/occupational, or other important areas of functioning (e.g., your general ability to function in life).
Some of the most common disorders include:
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Major Depressive Disorder: |
Involves experiencing depressive episodes, which must last for two weeks, and include
a minimum of 5 symptoms. |
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Persistent Depressive Disorder: |
A less extreme depressive presentation that includes a depressed mood and at least 2 other symptoms that last for at least two years. May have episodes of major depression along with periods of less severe symptoms, but symptoms must last for two years. |
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Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: |
Several depressive symptoms present consistently during the week prior to menses. |
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Bipolar II Disorder: |
Includes experiences of both depressive episodes as well as "mixed" or hypomanic episodes (i.e., elevated mood with other expansive symptoms). |
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Cyclothymic Disorder: |
Persistent periods of alternating between "highs" and "lows" that are subthreshold for hypomanic and depressive episodes. |
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Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder: |
Recurrent temper outbursts and persistently irritable or angry mood for at least one year (present between ages 6-18). |