Types of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder is characterized by intense feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest, and changes in sleep or appetite that persist for at least two weeks. This is the type most people think of when they hear “clinical depression,” and it can disrupt relationships, work, play and daily functioning.

Key symptoms of major depression often include:

• Persistent sadness or tearfulness
• Significant appetite or weight changes
• Marked fatigue or loss of energy
• Trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or self-harm

IOP programs provide group therapy, individual counseling, and medication management to help individuals with MDD regain stability and reconnect with the things that make them happy.

Persistent Depressive Disorder, also known as dysthymia, involves a chronic but milder low mood that lasts for two years or more. People with dysthymia may appear functional on the surface yet struggle with ongoing fatigue, low self-esteem, and gloominess.

Common signs of Dysthymia are:

• Feelings of sadness most days
• Low self-worth or self-criticism
• Difficulty concentrating or decision-making
• Poor appetite or overeating
• Insomnia or oversleeping

Because dysthymia is persistent, an IOP can offer structured weekly mental health therapy sessions and peer support to break patterns of negative thinking and build sustainable coping habits.

Bipolar I Disorder involves extreme mood swings—from manic episodes that may include impulsive behaviors, high energy, and racing thoughts, to depressive episodes similar to major depression. Manic phases can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

Typical manic symptoms include:

• Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
• Decreased need for sleep
• Rapid speech or flight of ideas
• Excessive involvement in risky activities
• Distractibility

IOP treatment for Bipolar I focuses on mood stabilization through medication oversight, education about warning signs, and group therapy to share coping skills for managing those highs and lows.

Bipolar II Disorder features hypomanic episodes, less severe than full mania but still marked by elevated mood and productivity, alternating with depressive phases that can feel overwhelmingly low. The lower intensity of bipolar II episodes can make it more challenging to diagnose in a regular outpatient setting, making IOP depression treatment a logical next step.. 

Hypomania often shows as:

• Increased goal-directed activity
• Heightened creativity or productivity
• Restlessness or irritability
• Reduced need for sleep without feeling exhausted
• Mild impulsivity

Because hypomania can be easy to dismiss and depression hard to bear, an IOP offers consistent monitoring, therapy to recognize early mood shifts, and a balanced treatment plan to keep you grounded.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression tied to seasonal changes, most commonly appearing in fall and winter when daylight hours shrink. Symptoms typically lift in spring and summer, but this doesn’t mean depression treatment isn’t warranted. If SAD is negatively impacting your quality of life, let’s talk about it. 

SAD symptoms often include:

• Low energy and increased sleep
• Carb cravings and weight gain
• Social withdrawal or “hibernation”
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Difficulty concentrating

IOP programs may combine light therapy, cognitive behavioral strategies, and group support during high-risk months to help clients maintain mood balance year-round.

Postpartum Depression affects parents—most often mothers—following childbirth. It goes beyond the “baby blues,” causing severe mood swings, anxiety, and feelings of detachment that can interfere with bonding.

Key red flags for Postpartum Depression include:

• Intense irritability or anger
• Overwhelming fatigue or insomnia
• Fear of harming self or baby
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Difficulty concentrating or making basic decisions

Through an IOP track, new parents receive specialized counseling, peer groups for postpartum support, and psychiatric care to address hormonal fluctuations and emotional challenges.