“I had a few of those episodes that were very real, real serious, like that. And that’s why I don’t own a gun anymore.”
Former NFL Quarterback
The information presented in this site is not intended as and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your health care professional for an opinion regarding a specific medical condition.
Types of Depression
Just as there are different signs of depression, there are different types:
- Stress-related depression may be caused by sudden stress or a major event like a breakup, losing a job, bad grades, or the death of a loved one. Stress-related depression can lead to more serious forms of depression, so you may want to seek help.
- Seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder) tends to come around the same time each year usually in the fall or winter. Seasonal depression has many of the same signs as depression like feeling down, tired, short-tempered, craving sweets and starches, headaches, and having problems sleeping.
- Chronic depression (dysthymia) is not a severe type of depression, but symptoms can stay with you for a long time and affect your daily life. Without treatment, chronic depression can lead to major depression. Many people with chronic depression suffer from major depression at least once in their lives.
- Major depression is a severe form that can lead to problems at home, school, and work. It can keep you from being able to study, sleep, and find joy in things like sports, music, friendship, and sex. While some people only suffer from major depression once in their life, others suffer from it many times.
- Bipolar disorder (manic-depression) can involve extreme changes in mood. Your may change from feeling depressed to feeling very active or talkative to feeling “normal.”
All types of depression, no matter how severe, should be talked about with a health professional. Depression is serious. Without help, depression can spiral you into a deep sadness or put you at risk for suicide. Men especially need to take depression very seriously if not