Atypical Depression
"Atypical" means unusual. Instead of feeling unrelenting gloominess and lethargy, a person with this condition might seem deeply depressed for a few days, then fine for a while, or anxious and irritable. Like many other forms of depression, the atypical variety often develops without a triggering event.
"Atypical depression" is not an official diagnostic category, but it
is often discussed informally. A person suffering from atypical
depression generally has increased appetite and sleeps more than usual.
An atypical depressive may also be able to enjoy pleasurable
circumstances despite being unable to seek out such circumstances.
This contrasts with the "typical" depressive, who generally has
reduced appetite and insomnia, and who is often unable to find
pleasure in anything. Despite its name, atypical depression may in
fact be more common than the other kind.
Symptoms of Atypical Depression
- Different from major depression
- Person can be "cheered up" by positive events
- Overeating
- Lethargy
- Mood is worse in the evening
- Anxiety
- Oversleeping
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