What should you know about types of depression?

Major depression causes a sustained change in mood, interest, energy, sleep, thinking, or appetite that interferes with daily life. Persistent depressive disorder is longer-lasting and may feel like a low background mood with periods of worsening. Seasonal depression follows a recurring time of year, often with changes in sleep and energy. Perinatal or postnatal depression occurs during pregnancy or after birth. Bipolar depression is a depressive phase within bipolar disorder, which also includes episodes of unusually elevated or irritable mood. Symptoms can overlap, so the label depends on timing, history, and the wider pattern rather than one symptom alone.

Write down when symptoms began, how sleep and appetite have changed, and whether work, study, relationships, or self-care are affected. A clinician may ask about medicines, alcohol or substance use, physical health, previous mood changes, and family history. Treatment can include talking therapy, lifestyle support, medicine, or a combination. Keep regular routines for meals, sleep, gentle movement, and contact with trusted people while arranging an assessment. Persistent low mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, or feeling anxious deserves attention even when symptoms do not fit one neat category.

Arrange a GP or mental-health assessment when low mood or loss of interest persists, keeps returning, or makes ordinary tasks difficult. Seek urgent help if you might harm yourself, cannot keep yourself safe, feel detached from reality, or have very little need for sleep with unusually high energy or risky behaviour. Contact emergency services in an immediate crisis. Depression can also disturb sleep; ongoing insomnia or daytime sleepiness should be discussed because it may need separate assessment.

Which pattern best matches my symptoms and history? Could a physical condition or medicine be contributing? What treatment options fit my preferences? How will we monitor changes in mood, sleep, and safety? What should I do if symptoms suddenly worsen?