Different Types of Depression?

[Jim]

Know the DSM lists different types of depression. However. Not a big fan of the DSM, and wanted to ask the opinion of you sufferers. Notice many on here get depressed. Well. When my daughter is depressed, best thing for her is a swift kick in the arse. Works, gets her out of it quickly. She's never depressed for long as a result. However, noticed many on here whose depression lasts for weeks, months even. Nothing seems to help. So. Are those different types of depression, different severity? Different circumstances, personality types, what? No offence meant, just trying to understand.

Jim.

[Kathy]

I know you wanted to hear from the sufferers, however I will say one thing which I believe is important. Evie has never been diagnosed with depression; she is not, nor has she ever been to my knowledge, clinically depressed. So perhaps that makes a difference as far as how quickly she is able to bounce back so to speak? I am interested in what others have to say about this however. I personally struggle with pushing her, or advising others to push their sufferers. It seems to work in her case, however I do worry about it at the same time.

[Marlene]

Jim,

For myself, I've dealt with different levels or intensities of depression most of my life. Some last a day or two. Others last for weeks on end. The long term ones tend to wax and wane in intensity. Some are situational. Some are seasonal (i.e. lack of light).

My biggest problem is that I'm usually smack dab in the middle of a depression before I notice it. It's not a big *boom...here I am* kind of thing. It's a quiet, subtle, sneaky thing. What I usually notice is that I've lost my desire to cook (which is something I love). Then I start paying attention to other things and figure it out.

Sometimes I can push through the deprssion and fight it by keeping going. Other times it just take everything but the absolute essentials out of me. Other times something as simple as changing my routine helps. Watching funny movies or TV shows. Having my family notice the changes in me helps as well.

This is a subject I've been struggling to understand and fight most of my life.

Lisa

[hodge]

When my daughter is depressed, best thing for her is a swift kick in the arse. Works, gets her out of it quickly.


Hi Jim,

I've seen you use this expression several times, but I'm not sure exactly what that entails. Could you elaborate in more detail about what you say and do that constitutes a kick in the arse? I'm hoping for tips on what I can do or suggest my husband do :).

I do plan on responding to your question from my experience...still gathering my thoughts, though.

Thanks,

Hodge

[veiled]

Hodge, I was about to ask the exact same thing. When I read that I can't help but think some aggressiveness which I seriously have doubt is the actual case.

For me if swift kick entails something more along the lines of someone drawing a bath and for me to go to and stealing my blankets so I have nothing to hide under and bugging me until I get in said bath... Dragging me outside. Those would help. I would probably break down and cry during it but yes, that still would help but ONLY if it is depression alone. Any force that is cranky in nature would backfire very badly.

Thing is we know how different everyone is. Every case of PTSD has to be fine tuned as far as treatment. Like for me my depression gets it's worst when I am having uncontrolled panic attacks cycle all day for days on end. All anyone can do is try to calm me and I need absolute calm around me. I cannot cook, clean, bathe, or function at all on any level. Where exercise may work for calming general anxiety it is the last thing I need when in panic or when anxiety attacks are a constant state because then it gets worse. I need to be in bed trying to rest, it is the only way I can break the cycle I have learned with experience and it can take a month or two when it gets going good. That is always when hubby also removes the gunsafe from the home too.

In October I went through the anniversary early due to the move North (visual triggers) and for me the panic lasts for at least a month. I am a total waste of space for that long. This round I got upsetting news and some run ins with family (being drunk assholes) towards the end and it made me do a complete relapse. I had to go through another month of the shit and I am (yeah) back up for air and finally cooking today. Though my head is not all there yet as I could not calculate doubling the recipes. My muffins came out a dough :) But it is a step until the Summer anniversary rolls around!

Now can I jump right back into life and go outside? No. I have to reintroduce things slowly like going to the store or walking outside in the neighborhood or going to inlaws and build back up to where I was before. If I go to fast and do it all I will cause another relapse. Time and experience has taught me and hubby how my PTSD ticks. It is quite annoying for me and those around me but at least we know when the collapse is coming. I can think I am feeling great maybe it won't happen again, then I get the ugly reminder I really do have this. But it is a vast improvement over how it used to be, always constant. I do have a group of months at a time I feel well now.

Example what pushing does... I feel a lot better but I have sausage cooking slowly right now and muffin dough, lol, waiting to go in the oven and hubs said oh no, I am pushing you too hard, though this is all I have done so far at 2 PM, because it has made me break out all over my face and neck with hives. He is not pushing me too hard, I do have to do some little things. Now if he tried to get me out to walk or go some where, I would fall apart again. I have to slowly ease out and hope the depression follows with me. Just because I know how *I* tick.

Hubby gets depression and normally it is obvious after I come out of mine. I will give him a few days in bed and let him be as who am I to bitch? But after a few days and I know he is well rested I will go blanket stealing, pissing him off, spit out a list of "honey do's" for him to do and that does snap him out of it. I know what depression is like and the last thing I want is to allow him to be swallowed by it like it does me. Though this treatment would send me to the hospital in no time.

Sorry that got so long! Said I was feeling a lot better :)

[hollyberry]

when I get depressed, A kick in the butt just makes me cry more and just makes me feel worse. It helps me in the moment to feel love and suport of those who I'm trying to reach out to. But I do think the kick in the butt probably makes me look at my behavors and triggers and helps me realize that my thinking is because of alot of distorted beliefs from my troubled past.

[becvan]

Yes I believe there are different types of depression.

I personally suffer from two types.

My first type is the "life sucks." This type of depression is when you can't get out of bed, don't shower, don't do anything. You wallow in self pity. The whole world is just a gloomy freaking place. It can be brought on by changes (Matt going in the hospital did it for me, relationship changes, financial set backs etc.) in people, events and circumstances. This is the depression you have to fight your way through. It needs a kick in the arse to get out of it. You have force showers, force trips out of the house, force errands, force socializing etc.. I think many, many people get trapped in this one. They defend themselves rather than try to push through it and fight it. Face it.. it's easier to wallow than to fight your way out.

My second type of depression is a kind of delayed grief. Some days, I am just very sad about my family, my abuse, my children. It's specific though. It's not a general thing. When I am this type of depressed, I need a shoulder to cry on, a hug, a warm blanket and lot's of tlc (which I usually provide to myself.) Kicking me in the ass in this case, would cause serious damage. These are old feelings coming to the surface that need to be felt and validated, which was something I was denied beforehand. This however is a short term depression.. it usually only lasts two days at the most.

Now, these are just my two types of depression. I am sure there are many more types. I don't have clinical depression so I wouldn't even hazard a guess on that one and how it should be dealt with.

I have no doubt that many people suffer from different kinds of depression. I believe some require a kick in the ass and some people are happy to wallow in it. I believe some need other kinds of care and a kick in the ass would only make it worse. Most likely it's very individual no matter the case.

bec

[Nam]

I've been diagnosed with depression and I agree with Marlene that it's not something you just wake up with. It is sneaky and it creeps up until I lose interest in most things. The "blues" is when I have a reason to be sad. My cat died or financial reasons, etc. But depression for me is both a physical and mental state of "blah" without much of a reason. It is so hard to explain. All I want to do is sleep. Everything takes a ton of effort, including self care. And it's not just an effort emotionally, but physically. I am fatigued with lead weights on my legs. I find myself not breathing deeply, my posture stinks, I don't eat, etc.

Another sign for me is that I'm no longer communicating. I'm inside my head thinking all kinds of things but not voicing much of anything. Eventually, those thoughts turn negative and I just hear a negative voice in my head.

I'm not sure if a kick in the arse would help or not. Ben usually lets me sleep since sleep deprivation is horrible for me. After a few days of a ton of sleep, he and I will plan to go out or do something. Then I feel better for a time until I hit another dip. The real problem arises when the dips are deeper than the ups and eventually with time, spiral down to where nothing at all matters. Fortunately, Ben knows what to watch for to prevent that from happening.

[Awakening]

Hi Jim, I think you probably answered your own question, I think there probably are different types with a combination of personality & circumstances.

My experience within my family & circle of friends is; bipolar (manic depressive) (1), post natal depression (2), depression/anxiety with anti-depressants (5).

Personally before I discussed traumas with anyone I was diagnosed with clinical depression & prescribed anti-d's, then when that didn't work I went to a different GP who did a medicare mental health plan & I was diagnosed with 'anxiety induced clinical depression'.

For me, my depression generally starts after a build up of anxiety. If the anxiety can be halted or slowed the depressive episode will be less in time & severity.

Like Veiled, exercise will work for general anxiety, getting out there, kick in the butt, distraction. Different if panic attack.

Depression then I prefer calming things, being looked after, someone cooking dinner, resting. If someone tried to give me a kick along, then I think I would retreat more, as it makes me realise how incapable I am of doing anything i.e. a shower is a massive achievement in these times. Small expectations & encouragement works the best then & some time & space.

But there is a limit, and a slippery slope not to get to entrenched in the depression. No harm then to get a gentle reminder that it's gone on long enough & if I've had some rest & respite then I can slowly do this, starting with a shower, starting to eat more, building up again.

The other thing to is I still do want some connection as well as some time & space. The thing that shocked me when I first had depression was the absence of feeling & connection. I thought I would feel sad whereas a lot of the time I feel nothing at all which personally I think is even worse then feeling sadness. At least then you know you are alive. So the disconnection & numbness in the depression can be alleviated if I'm somewhat forced to interact or participate in the human race again.

But I am curious - what do you mean when you say you give Evie a kick up the arse? I'd love to hear some examples.

BTW - Bec love your technical terminology for the 2 types of depression, much more accurate description!

[Claire]

I think it depends on what you are talking about. Depression = feeling fed up or more serious than that, feeling nothing etc. For the feeling fed up stage a swift kick up the arse would work for me too. Good job you cant reach me from where you are! :smile:

[Jim]

Much appreciated all. Worried I wasn't making myself clear. However, very good answers! Understand the differences far better now.

Must confess now. Suppose I'm guilty of not having much sympathy for those who suffer from depression, including my own child. Stems from my own father, who was a very depressed man after Korea, and had PTSD as well no doubt. Drank himself to death. At 13 I was fatherless and being the oldest, suddenly man of the house. Had to quit school and help support the family. Felt badly about it all, imagine I was grieving. Didn't get any support though. Mother told me to suck it up. Never did understand why Father couldn't have sucked it up too. He was the adult after all. But - suppose that's where the illness part comes in. He was ill. Clinical depression likely. Still struggle with it at times, forget to not pass judgement. All of your explanations of severe depression have truly helped though.

Bec - really like your explanation of types. Evie gets both of those. Only give her a kick for the "life sucks" kind though. I can be sensitive too. ;-)

I've seen you use this expression several times, but I'm not sure exactly what that entails. Could you elaborate in more detail about what you say and do that constitutes a kick in the arse? I'm hoping for tips on what I can do or suggest my husband do.

Apologies. Thought that expression was universal. Correct Veiled, not aggressive. Basically, means I give my daughter (or one of my other kids - happens to the others as well) an attitude adjustment. Evie'll be moping about the house for a few days, not going out, not doing anything. Making a nuisance of herself and generally being unpleasant to all. So. I confront her. Tell her what I think she's doing wrong and to get her arse in gear. I am gentle about it most times. Sometimes have been a bit more forceful. Usually however - simply a conversation. Nothing threatening about it. Hope that explains things.

Reckon I'm an arrogant, pushy old bastard. ;-) Thanks all for putting up with the question. Grateful for the answers, truly helped.

Jim.

[hollyberry]

Jim. One sister tells me my dad was a mean drunk but the other sister says he was depressed. Today I found his year book....He was voted by his class: one who has done most for class, most for school and most likely to succeed. He went to Japan weeks after we dropped the bomb.....Ive been told he came back a totally different man.....I wonder too if it was ptsd....Editorial in book is really deep.....talks about the war and the way america has changed...Makes me think of all our soldiers today and how we are changing them and how generations for years will be affected.

[kers]

Usually however - simply a conversation. Nothing threatening about it. Hope that explains things.

Your explanation of this helps, Jim, as I'd wondered from time to time what you meant by that! I also came from a military family with an attitude of 'suck it up,' so when I don't suck it up, I tend to get even harder on myself. Your solution sounds reasonable, and though I don't have family to do that for me, I think folks here on the forum are able to give me a kick in the arse when I need it from time to time.

[batgirl]

Wow Dad, I never really made the connection between you dealing with your father being depressed and as a result you not understanding or empathizing with depression yourself. But that totally makes sense, thanks for sharing.

[anthony]

PTSD encompasses Major Depressive Disorder. It is part and parcel of PTSD. Some doctors diagnose it PTSD + MDD, some don't. The one's who don't are the correct in diagnosis. The only time the later diagnosis should be individual to PTSD is if the depressive disorder was present prior to trauma. People attempt to use this for childhood abuse, saying they where depressed before being diagnosed with PTSD, which simply means they failed to differentiate between before PTSD diangosis vs. before trauma. Obviously a child being abused will suffer depression due to the abuse, which means it is part of the PTSD, not unique.

Every person with PTSD will have depression, knowingly or not. I agree with you Jim, being a kick in the arse is the best solution. Most cannot give it to themselves, so they need it. I get a kick in the arse at times for the same thing, its the best medicine. There is a difference though IMHO between depression (laziness) and ill from anxiety which can look like depression.

[dshanks]

I hever see myself getting into a depression. I, too, suddenly find myself in one and the intensity can be really horrifying where I could never be helped by a kick in the arse. True depression, I don t believe, ever gets resolved by any kind of kick. As far as I am concerned countless KICKS are what got me in this mess(PTSD)in the first place. Depression can be really debilitating, not like the blues:think:

[Jim]

I agree with you Jim, being a kick in the arse is the best solution. Most cannot give it to themselves, so they need it. I get a kick in the arse at times for the same thing, its the best medicine. There is a difference though IMHO between depression (laziness) and ill from anxiety which can look like depression.

Much appreciated Anthony. Good to know I am on the right track. The kick in the arse has helped time and again. Understand the difference with anxiety, comforting her or leaving her be are the only things that work at those times.

Jim.

[anthony]

Dshanks, a "kick in the arse" is a metaphoric term for "being dragged out of a comfort zone and forced into another zone" such as taken out of a bedroom or home used to seclude oneself and instead taken on a walk, bike ride, outdoors type of activity, exercise, something to motivate oneself to be shown that once moving and active, suddenly depression goes away because activity creates requisite bodily aspects to promote health, energy, functionality and so forth.

People get depressed, isolate themselves, they become more depressed and so forth. When you take a depressed person and force them into going for a 5km walk; you will find the first two km's they will complain the entire time, then they shutup and say nothing, by the end you ask them how they feel and 99.9% of the time they will actually feel better. Ensure a person does this daily, then ups the anty as such to increase the pace, to push themselves and create a healthy body, healthy mind, you will actually find this stops depression in its tracks and helps a person control it even when it does become quite overwhelming.

The "blues" as such is a mild form of depression, and even that can be countered with exercise or an activity to stimulate the mind. This is what a kick in the arse means.

[Zieges]

I know exactly where my depression comes from, i know when it started and i can almost predict when it;s going to occur. I lost my mother when i was 15, as a result i am now traumatized, suffering from PTSD, OCD, mania and depression :]

I am 23-years-old and because of these illnesses i can become a bit of a bitter, depraved asshole and have done some things that i regret every day of the week.

I have things in this world that distract me from these debilitating illnesses, for example i have a passion for film, writing and reading, so spend alot of time 'escaping' using these sources but it's the quiet moments when the depression creeps up on me, in which i can fight it off for certain periods but alot of the time it is out of my control and what negativity that goes on in my head is just there, without warning, permission or control {note: no matter how positively i think, it doesn't get rid of the negative feelings, because it's a chemical imbalance of the brain, right?}

Then i come across green tea, yes, green tea, and it's probably changed my life. So those who don't drink it, try it, it may help you. You are what you consume.

So the green tea, a healthy diet etc has decreased my depression yet my OCD and PTSD is something i cannot get rid of at this present time because i have traumatic images ingrained into my head, probably for life, which of course is what PTSD is.

But i'm not going to bemoan here about my problems because there are worse situations i can be in. I'm alive, and that's all that counts at the moment.

[hollyberry]

Zieges, I have always thought that my ptsd had come from my fathers death untill I came here and learned that it could not be from such a normal death.....my ptsd came from sexual abuse many years before my fathers death. Whenever my ptsd has been triggered it is usually been by someone else's death or someone abandoning me.....or some other trigger.....I am still learning all the different triggers I have.... I am still learning so much about my ptsd...hope you are able to get the support and help you need, as I have....peace be with you.....