Different types of dementia
Learn about the different types of depression below.
Depressive disorder with psychotic features
Major depressive disorder with psychotic features, also called psychotic depression, is one of the most severe forms of depression. This is diagnosed when a person has all the symptoms of depression, is too distressed to function properly and has the added symptoms of psychosis.
Psychosis is generally defined as a break from reality. For example, a person living with psychosis may believe things that are not true despite being shown facts that argue against those beliefs, without those beliefs being part of their culture.
Major depressive disorder
Major depressive disorder without psychotic features is an illness that causes a depressed mood or a lack of interest and enjoyment in things, along with a number of other symptoms such as low energy, changes in appetite, sleep problems, thoughts of death or negative thoughts about oneself or the world. It lasts for many months.
Persistent depressive disorder
Once called dysthymic disorder, persistent depressive disorder does not meet the full criteria for a major depressive episode. However, it persists for a long time: at least two years of symptoms without much relief during that time. Typically, the person can function, but they don’t feel well, they don’t feel happy, they don’t enjoy things and they have some other physical or cognitive symptoms.
Other types of depression
Subsyndromal, subthreshold or minor depression are forms of depression that do not meet the criteria for the other types of depression, but they still come with an impaired quality of life and greater healthcare utilization. The conversion rate from these forms of depression to major depression is about 10 per cent per year.
In adjustment disorders, people have experienced some sort of stress that causes them to feel sad. This can be normal at times—for example, feeling sad after someone dies. However, it is important to be mindful that people who are experiencing stressors, have an adjustment problem or adjustment disorder, or are experiencing bereavement may need intervention at some point if they develop one of the other depressive disorders.
Additional Resources
Alzheimer’s dementia
- Information regarding Alzheimer’s and the symptoms associated with it.
- Describes in detail what is Alzheimer’s, the symptoms and diagnosis.
- Provides brief overview of dementia and factors that contribute to development of dementia.
Vascular dementia
- Provides information about vascular dementia and it symptoms.
- Explains how vascular dementia develops and the different types of vascular dementia.
- Describes vascular dementia effect on individuals and risk factors associated with developing it.
Lewy body dementia
- Detailed information regarding Lewy body dementia (i.e. symptoms, risk factors and treatment)
- Brief overview of Lewy body dementia.
- Describes Lewy body dementia effect on individuals.
Lewy Body Dementia Association (USA)
- Provides information regarding Lewy body dementia (i.e symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options).
Frontotemporal dementia
- Detailed information about Frontotemporal dementia and describes the difference between frontotemporal and alzheimer’s dementia.
- Describes the different types of frontotemporal dementia and the risk factor of frontotemporal dementia.
- Provides information on symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment for frontotemporal dementia.
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (USA)
- Provides information regarding managing Frontotemporal dementia, dealing with symptoms and treatment options.
Mixed dementia
- Provides information on symptoms, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment for mixed dementia.