Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is what most people think of when they hear “clinical depression.” It involves a low mood or loss of interest in daily life that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks.

Common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness or emptiness

• Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy

• Fatigue or low energy

• Changes in sleep (too much or too little)

• Appetite or weight changes

• Trouble thinking or concentrating

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Thoughts of death or suicide

MDD can range from mild to severe and may show up differently for different people. The most important thing to know is: you don’t have to wait until it gets worse to get help. With support—through therapy, medication, or both—relief is possible.

Bipolar disorder includes mood swings between lows (depression) and highs (mania or hypomania). During depressive episodes, symptoms often look like major depression:

• Feeling very sad, empty, or hopeless

• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy

• Fatigue, low energy, or feeling physically slowed down

• Sleeping too much or too little

• Trouble focusing, thinking, or making decisions

• Feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• Thoughts of death or suicide

There are two main types:

• Bipolar I: Involves manic episodes, with or without depression

• Bipolar II: Involves hypomania and more frequent, severe depression

Bipolar depression needs different treatment than regular depression, so it’s important to share if you’ve ever felt unusually energized, needed less sleep, or acted impulsively. The right diagnosis helps guide safer medication and more effective therapy options.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS that affects mood and body in the week or two before your period, with symptoms easing after your cycle starts. It’s more intense than typical PMS and can impact work, relationships, and daily life.

Common symptoms include:

• Mood swings or irritability

• Sadness or feeling overwhelmed

• Fatigue or low energy

• Trouble concentrating

• Sleep changes

• Physical symptoms like bloating, breast tenderness, or headaches

If your premenstrual symptoms feel intense or interfere with your life, you’re not alone—and support is available through therapy, hormonal treatments, or medication.

Persistent Depressive Disorder, also known as dysthymia, involves a chronic, low-level depressed mood that lasts for at least two years (or one year for children and teens). Symptoms may not feel as intense as a major depressive episode, but they are long-lasting and can interfere with daily life.

You may experience:

• Low energy or constant fatigue

• Feeling down or “numb” most days

• Poor concentration or decision-making

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Low self-esteem

• Feelings of hopelessness

Many people with dysthymia describe it as feeling “stuck in a fog” or like they’ve been on autopilot for years. Therapy, medication, and lifestyle support can help lift the fog—and remind you that change is possible.

Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood happens when you’re struggling to cope with a specific stressor or life change—such as a breakup, job loss, move, or medical diagnosis—and begin to experience symptoms of depression. These feelings start within 3 months of the stressful event and may include:

• Feeling sad, tearful, or hopeless

• Low energy or lack of motivation

• Trouble enjoying daily activities

• Difficulty concentrating

• Sleep or appetite changes

• Feeling overwhelmed or withdrawn

The symptoms may not meet full criteria for major depression, but they still affect your ability to function at work, school, or in relationships. What makes Adjustment Disorder different is that it’s clearly connected to a recent life stressor.

Good news: it’s treatable. Therapy can help you process what’s happening and build coping tools. For some, short-term medication can also be helpful. Most people begin to feel better within a few months—especially with support.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Your reactions make sense. And healing is possible.

Schizoaffective disorder involves a combination of mood symptoms and symptoms of psychosis (like hallucinations or delusions). In the depressive type, symptoms of major depression occur along with or separate from psychotic symptoms.

You may experience:

• Ongoing sadness or loss of interest

• Low energy, appetite, or motivation

• Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness

• Hearing or seeing things others don’t (hallucinations)

• Strongly held beliefs that others don’t share (delusions)

• Disorganized thinking or difficulty focusing

The key feature of schizoaffective disorder is that psychotic symptoms occur even when mood symptoms are not present, although both can happen together.

With the right support—medication, therapy, and community care—many people manage symptoms and lead meaningful lives.

Postpartum depression is a common mental health condition that can occur after giving birth. It’s more than the “baby blues” and can affect your mood, energy, sleep, and ability to bond with your baby.

You may experience:

• Ongoing sadness, tearfulness, or emotional numbness

• Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy

• Difficulty sleeping (or sleeping too much)

• Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or like you’re not a good parent

• Trouble bonding with your baby

• Changes in appetite or energy

• Thoughts of harming yourself or feeling like your baby would be better off without you

Postpartum depression is not your fault. It’s a medical condition that can affect anyone—and help is available. With support like therapy, medication, social connection, and rest, most people recover and feel like themselves again.

You’re not alone, and you deserve a village to raise your child.