Unseen Faces of Depression: Your Ultimate Guide to the Many Shades of Blue

9. Atypical Depression

Atypical depression is a type of depression characterized by numerous specific symptoms and causes an individual to brighten up in response to positive events. When an affected individual experiences a positive event, they tend to show a mood improvement in response to this event. However, an affected individual will experience symptoms for the majority of the time. These symptoms include hypersomnia or sleeping too much, increased appetite, weight gain, sensitivity to rejection, feelings of being weighed down, poor body image, headaches, and eating disorders. Atypical depression is similar to melancholic depression with atypical features. Even though the name of this type of depression makes it sound as if it is an uncommon form of the illness, atypical depression is more common in the general population than other forms. It is common for an individual who is affected by bipolar I, bipolar II, seasonal affective disorder, and cyclothymia to be affected by atypical depression as well.

10. Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder

Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is a form of depression where an individual experiences anger, temper tantrums, and extreme irritability. An individual affected by disruptive mood dysregulation disorder may have episodes of physical aggression toward things or other people and outbursts of yelling and screaming. These episodes usually occur three or more times each week. The outbursts characteristic of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder do not occur in just one setting, but rather in multiple settings, such as school, at home, and with peers. A diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is typically only made in individuals between six and seventeen years old. The episodes that occur in an individual affected by disruptive mood dysregulation disorder are not the result of other underlying disorders like substance abuse, learning disabilities, or developmental disabilities. Symptoms of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder must be present regularly for at least a year before a diagnosis is made.