Depression tends to be expressed differently as per one’s age, sex, as well as culture. Because of these variables which are associated with depression, there is no set list of stages which one can expect to experience; since they are unique to each individual. Similarly, there is no single cause of depression. it may be due to early life experience, genetic predisposition, besides lifestyle factors, as well as certain personality traits. All these play a part in causing depression. Something which leads to depression in one person may simply have no effect on another one. Hence, there is difficulty in outlining the various stages of depression.
Depression can be treated. Avoiding medical attention will only cause unnecessary suffering. Depression should be taken seriously and treated as soon as the first symptoms arise.
The stages of depression include Major Depression, which is a type of clinical depression. It is characterized by a lack of interest in all those things which were once enjoyed, or there may be a nonstop feeling of sadness. Bipolar disorder or manic depressive illness, which is also called Manic Depression, forms the other stages of depression. It is a type of depression having either subtle or extreme “high” periods which tend to alternate with “low” periods of Depression.
Dysthymic disorder is characterized by ongoing but only mild symptoms of depression. Cyclothymic disorder refers to a relatively mild form of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by mood swings which may appear to be within the normal range of emotions. These mood swings typically range from mild depression to mania of low intensity, or hypomania.
The other stages of depression include the postnatal depression (PND) or postpartum depression. This refers to a complex mix of physical, emotional, as well as behavioral changes that tend to occur in a mother after giving birth. It is a very serious condition. It affects nearly 10% of new mothers.