Anybody here with atypical depression? If so, try to read this article:

Five Facts About Atypical Depression You Need to Know

I find that much of what the article describes I can recognize in myself. Years have passed without a specific diagnose. I have been so depressed that hearing the laughing of others made me feel sick (so I have been really depressed or what they call a 'Major depressive episode',) but I have at the same time been able to cheer up when something good happened.

I have wondered about so much: Was it 'Dysthymic disorder, 'Cyclothymic disorder', 'Anxiety disorder' or whatever? Could it be a personality disorder? I didn't find a personality disorder that seemed fit. What about "food disorders"? I have heard about Major Depressive Disorder with Atypical features.

It is the tendency to cheer up with regard to good news (something joyful happening) that has made me more and more interested in this diagnose (the atypical).

That it can occur early in life, that it can be life-long as well, has made it an interesting label. That one has to learn tactics to fight the depression and so on, makes it understandable why it is difficult to treat. The way I see it, it is crucial that people with symptoms like these learn to work on their symptoms, because if not, they will not recover.

I will not self-diagnose, but this is the best In have ever read that make me feel comfortable in a category. It gives me a frame to understand how important it is to never give up the fight. Inside the 'MDD with atypical features' it is possible to put other diagnosis like, as an example, 'Seasonal Affective Disorder' or other as well.

Here is another link about the same:

Atypical Depression: Treatment, Symptoms, Tests

Take care!

[MickeyCheeky]

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this article, @GoGo2!

[Fuzzybear]

Thanks for sharing

Glad you folks liked the links. I don't think that depression is such an easy to diagnose "thing". What is most important is that the persons suffering from this or that type of depression get the necessary tools to make the best out of it either it is a persistent depression or one at a short duration.

Take care all!

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by GoGo2

I have wondered about so much: Was it 'Dysthymic disorder, 'Cyclothymic disorder', 'Anxiety disorder' or whatever? Could it be a personality disorder? I didn't find a personality disorder that seemed fit. What about "food disorders"? I have heard about Major Depressive Disorder with Atypical features.

I definitely relate. There was a time when I wondered if I was personality disordered and was making my illness up for attention.

None of my past depressions ever fit the typical description of the illness. When I get depressed, I sleep a lot, get very irritable and teary. Everything I do requires a lot of effort, because my body tends to feel very heavy. - I suspect my anxiety disorder also contributes to the exhaustion I feel.

Originally Posted by GoGo2

It is the tendency to cheer up with regard to good news (something joyful happening) that has made me more and more interested in this diagnose (the atypical).

This is true for all my periods of depression.

About 4 weeks ago I was feeling suicidal (which is not normal for me) because of my situation. I felt trapped and didn't see any options, until my friend told me, I could reside at his place while I re-establish myself in the city, I left to attend college. He stated that I must have a job. It helped me feel hopeful about the future.

His offer eased my suicidal thoughts but hasn't done much to improve the irritability and sadness or whatever that emotion is.

[Fuzzybear]

Sending (more) hugs and respect