Sub-types of depression - Black Dog Institute

SUB-TYPES Of DEPRESSIONFact Sheet2. Melancholic depressionMelancholic depression is also a biological depression. Its defining features are:• A more severe depressed mood than is the case with non-melancholic depression• Psychomotor disturbance such as slowed or agitated physical movements and slowedcognitive processing abilitiesMelancholic depression is a relatively uncommon type of depression. It affects only2-10 per cent of diagnosed cases in Western populations. The percentage of affected menand women is roughly the same.Melancholic depression has a low rate of spontaneous remission, meaning it very rarelygoes away of its own accord. It responds best to physical treatments (e.g. antidepressantdrugs) and only minimally (at best) to non-physical treatments such as counselling orpsychotherapy as a first step. However, psychological interventions can be helpful oncethe symptoms have subsided and during the recovery period.3. Non-melancholic depressionNon-melancholic depressions have to do with psychological causes, personalitycharacteristics and are often linked to stressful events in a person’s life. Non-melancholicdepression is the most common of the three types of depression but it can be hardto accurately diagnose because it lacks the defining characteristics of the other twodepressive types (namely psychomotor disturbance or psychotic features). In contrast tothe other types of depression, non-melancholic depression has a high rate of spontaneousremission which means that the depression resolves over time by itself. This is becausenon-melancholic depression is often linked to stressful life events which, when resolved,tend to result in the depression also lifting. Non-melancholic depression responds well toa range of treatment options including psychological interventions, antidepressants andcounselling.Key points to remember• There are three different sub-types of depression, each with their own features andcauses• Knowing what sub-type of depression a person has is important in being able to selectthe best treatment options• Psychotic and melancholic depression are a more biological sub-type of depression,resulting in more severely depressed mood and psychomotor disturbance• Non-melancholic depression is the most common form of depression and is oftenlinked to stressful life events, personality and coping styles.www.blackdoginstitute.org.auThis document may be freely downloaded and distributed on condition no change is made to the content.The information in this document is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosisor treatment. Not to be used for commercial purposes and not to be hosted electronically outside of theBlack Dog Institute website. Updated October 2012.2