The main types of depression are major depression, persistent depressive disorder, seasonal depression, perinatal depression, PMDD, and depression caused by drugs or medicine. Bipolar depression is a related condition with its own treatment approach. Each type differs in how long it lasts, how strong it feels, and what sets it off.
Knowing your type helps you and your care team pick the right treatment. At Raise the Bottom, we treat adults at our clinics in Boise, Nampa, and Pocatello, and by video across Idaho. You can learn how our depression treatment in Idaho works, or read on for a plain guide to each type.
What Depression Is and How the Types Are Sorted
Depression is a common mental health condition. It changes how you feel, think, sleep, and get through daily life. To diagnose major depression, a clinician looks for symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks [1]. One of them has to be a low mood or a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy.
Depression symptoms can be emotional, physical, or behavioral. You may notice some of these signs:
- Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Losing interest in hobbies, friends, or sex
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in appetite, weight loss, or weight gain
- Feeling tired or slowed down
- Difficulty concentrating or making choices
- Physical symptoms such as aches, pains, or stomach trouble with no clear cause
- Thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts
Doctors sort these depressive disorders by three things. They look at how long the low mood lasts, how severe it is, and whether a clear event set it off. A hard month after a loss is not the same as a mood disorder that lasts for years. Our post on how situational depression differs from clinical depression explains where that line falls.
The Different Types of Depression at a Glance
Only a licensed mental health professional can tell you which type fits. Still, a quick overview can help you know what to ask about. The table below lists the main types of depressive disorders side by side.
| Type | Main Feature | Typical Timing |
| Major depressive disorder (MDD) | Low mood or loss of interest that affects daily life | At least two weeks |
| Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) | Long-lasting low mood that can vary in severity | At least two years in adults |
| Seasonal pattern (SAD) | Depression that returns with the seasons | Usually late fall to spring |
| Perinatal depression | Depression during pregnancy or after birth | Pregnancy and the months after |
| Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) | Severe mood symptoms tied to the menstrual cycle | The week or two before a period |
| Substance or medication-induced | Depression caused by a drug, alcohol, or a medicine | During use or withdrawal |
| Bipolar depression | Low periods plus manic or hypomanic periods | Comes in cycles |
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major depressive disorder is also called major depression or clinical depression. Many people mean this type when they say “depression.” The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says it is one of the most common mental disorders in the U.S.
A major depressive episode can make it hard to work, eat, sleep, or enjoy life. It may happen once, or it may come back over the years. Some people with severe depression can barely get out of bed, while others keep working and feel empty inside. Clinicians add labels called specifiers to describe the pattern, and two common ones are below.
Atypical Depression
The main sign of atypical depression is mood reactivity. That means your mood can lift for a while when something good happens. People with this pattern often sleep a lot, eat more, and gain weight. Their arms and legs may feel very heavy.
Many people with this pattern are also very hurt by rejection. A 2004 review in American Family Physician found they tended to get depressed at a younger age, and more of them were women. These features can shape which antidepressant a prescriber picks.
Psychotic Depression
Psychotic depression is a severe form of MDD with psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions. A delusion is a false belief that does not change, even with clear proof. In depressive psychosis, these false beliefs often focus on disaster, such as a belief that something terrible is about to happen.
This type needs prompt medical care. Treatment often pairs an antidepressant with an antipsychotic medicine, and some people need electroconvulsive therapy. If a loved one hears things or holds beliefs that are not real, help them get care right away.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) used to be called dysthymia or dysthymic disorder. It involves chronic depression lasting at least two years in adults [1]. Symptoms can be less intense, but PDD can also include persistent major depression [2]. Severity varies, and it can seriously affect daily activities. Those persistent feelings of gloom can make it hard to recall the last time you felt good.
Since it lasts so long, people often mistake PDD for their personality. They keep up with work and family, so others may not see the struggle. That pattern overlaps with high-functioning depression, which is not a formal diagnosis. The term describes depression in someone who still keeps up with a busy life.
Depression Tied to Seasons, Hormones, and Pregnancy
Some types of depression follow a pattern in time. They can line up with the seasons, the menstrual cycle, or the months around a birth. Spotting that timing helps you get the right care sooner.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression that comes back at the same time each year. The American Psychiatric Association says about 5 percent of U.S. adults have SAD, and it usually lasts about 40 percent of the year [3]. It tends to start in late fall and lift in spring, so it is also called winter depression. Women and younger adults are at higher risk.
This timing matters in Idaho, where winter days are short and gray inversions can hang over the Treasure Valley for days. A less common pattern, called summer depression, shows up in the warm months instead. Light therapy, talk therapy, and medicine can all help, and our post on seasonal depression covers what to expect each winter.
Perinatal and Postpartum Depression
Perinatal depression happens during pregnancy or after a baby is born. When it starts after the birth, it is called postpartum depression. About 1 in 8 women with a recent live birth report postpartum depression symptoms, according to the CDC [4].
Postpartum depression is more than the “baby blues.” Those are mild mood changes that many new mothers feel in the first two weeks. It is stronger and lasts longer, and it often does not get better without treatment. That can make everyday life hard, including caring for yourself or your baby.
A serious illness called postpartum psychosis can also appear after birth. It is a psychiatric emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if a new parent sees or hears things that are not there.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome. Deep sadness, anger, anxiety, and mood swings start a week or two before a period. They ease soon after the period begins.
A 2024 review of 44 studies found that about 3.2 percent of people who menstruate meet the full criteria for PMDD [5]. The symptoms can strain work and relationships each month. Treatment may include antidepressants, hormone options, and therapy.
Depression Linked to Substances, Stress, and Mood Swings
Not every depression is a standalone illness. Some forms come from substance use, a hard life event, or a separate mood condition. These types can cause the same symptoms on the surface, so a careful assessment matters.
Substance or Medication-Induced Depressive Disorder
Alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and some medicines can cause depressive symptoms. This can happen while someone is using, during withdrawal, or in the weeks after stopping. When a substance causes low mood, the diagnosis is substance- or medication-induced depressive disorder.
This type matters for anyone who uses opioids or alcohol. Opioids change brain chemistry, and low mood can make cravings stronger. Our article on depression and opioid addiction explains why the two so often show up together and why it helps to treat both at once.
Situational Depression and Adjustment Disorder
Situational depression is a strong reaction to a specific stressor, such as a divorce, a job loss, or a death. Clinicians call it adjustment disorder with depressed mood. Symptoms usually start within three months of the event.
By definition, these symptoms do not last more than six months after the stress and its effects have ended. If they linger or get worse, the problem may be major depression instead. That is why it is worth talking to someone early.
Bipolar Depression
Bipolar depression is the low phase of bipolar disorder, which was once called manic depression. People with bipolar disorder also have manic episodes or milder hypomanic ones. During those times, they have high energy, need little sleep, and have racing thoughts.
These shifts are bigger than everyday mood swings, and they change the treatment plan. Bipolar disorder often calls for mood stabilizers, such as lithium. An antidepressant taken alone can trigger a manic episode. If you have had extreme mood swings, ask about our bipolar disorder treatment and tell your provider about each high and low.
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD) is a depressive disorder found in children and teens. Kids with DMDD stay irritable and angry, and they have frequent, intense temper outbursts. These show up at home, at school, and with friends.
DMDD is classified as a depressive disorder. Bipolar disorder and adjustment disorder are classified in separate chapters. We treat adults, so parents who see these signs in a child should start with a pediatrician or a child mental health specialist.
How Treatment Differs by Type
Depression is treatable, and the plan depends on the type. A good provider builds individualized treatment plans around your symptoms, your history, and any substance use. The table below shows common starting points.
| Type | Common Treatment Approaches |
| Major depressive disorder | Therapy, antidepressants, or both |
| Persistent depressive disorder | Longer-term therapy plus medicine |
| Seasonal affective disorder | Light therapy, talk therapy, medicine |
| Postpartum depression | Therapy and medication chosen after reviewing pregnancy or breastfeeding risks and benefits |
| Substance-induced depression | Treating the substance use and the mood together |
| Bipolar depression | Mood stabilizers plus therapy |
Treating depression usually uses a few proven tools. You and your provider may use one or several of them:
- Talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) works on the thoughts behind your actions. Interpersonal therapy (IPT) focuses on your relationships. Our mental health therapy includes one-on-one and group options.
- Medicine. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are common antidepressants. They usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work fully [1].
- Brain stimulation therapies. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) are the most used, and both can help severe depression. Vagus nerve stimulation is rarely used, and deep brain stimulation is still being studied.
Medicine works best with steady follow-up. Our psychiatric medication management team checks how a medicine is working and adjusts it over time. If two or more antidepressants have not helped, a doctor may call it treatment-resistant depression. At that point, other treatments may be worth a look.
When to Get Help in Idaho
Depression is a serious mental health condition, and suicide is a real risk in Idaho. In 2023, Idaho had 23.4 suicide deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 14.7 for the nation [6]. Getting care for depression early is one way to lower that risk.
Reach out for help if you notice any of these signs. You do not need all of them to deserve care:
- Low mood that lasts more than two weeks
- Trouble keeping up at work, school, or home
- Pulling away from friends and family
- Drinking or using more to cope
- Thoughts that life is not worth living
In a crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For steady support, mental health counseling is a good first step. If you need more structure, ask about our mental health intensive outpatient program and its current availability. IOP care generally involves several sessions a week while you live at home.
Types of Depression: Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Types of Depression Are There?
There is no single fixed number. The diagnostic manual lists several depressive disorders, such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, PMDD, and DMDD. Clinicians then add labels like seasonal pattern, peripartum onset, atypical features, or psychotic features. Those labels describe how depression shows up for you.
Can You Have More Than One Type of Depression?
Yes. A person can have persistent depressive disorder and then have a major depressive episode on top of it. Depression can also have more than one feature at once, such as a seasonal pattern with atypical symptoms. A full assessment helps sort out what is going on and which treatment fits.
What Is Cyclical Depression?
Cyclical depression is not a formal diagnosis. People use the term for low moods that come and go in a pattern, such as seasonal depression, PMDD, or the low phase of bipolar disorder. These are treated in different ways, so tell your provider when your low moods start and end, and whether you ever feel unusually high.
What Causes Depression?
Depression has no single cause. Genes, brain chemistry, stress, trauma, illness, hormones, and substance use can all play a part. Many people have several of these at once, and depression often shows up with anxiety disorders or other mental health disorders. That is why treatment often combines therapy, medication, and care for other health problems.
Finding the Right Care for Your Type of Depression
You do not need to know your exact type before you ask for help. Our team offers mental health support that starts with a full assessment. We look at your symptoms and any substance use, then build a plan with therapy, medication, or both.
Our clinics accept Idaho Medicaid and many commercial insurance plans. Care is available in person in Boise, Nampa, and Pocatello, or by video anywhere in Idaho. Visit our depression treatment page to learn about next steps.
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health. Depression (NIH Publication No. 24-MH-8079). Revised 2024. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance Use Disorder Treatment for People With Co-Occurring Disorders, TIP 42. Chapter 4, Exhibit 4.2: Diagnostic Criteria for Persistent Depressive Disorder. 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571021/
- American Psychiatric Association. Seasonal Affective Disorder. Reviewed March 2024. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/seasonal-affective-disorder
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of Depression Among Women. Last updated May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/reproductive-health/depression/index.html
- Reilly T, Patel S, Unachukwu I, et al. The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2024;349:534-540. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38199397/
- America’s Health Rankings. Suicide in Idaho, 2025 Annual Report (CDC WONDER, 2023 data). https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/suicide/ID
