Atpical Depression - Symptoms, Causes, Complications And Prevention

Atypical depression is a type of depression with atypical features. Positive events can brighten your depressed mood. Sleeping too much, increased appetite, feeling rejected and there are several other symptoms of atypical depression. It is a common and usual type of depression that can affect the way you behave, think and feel. Due to physical and emotional problems, you might find it hard to do your normal day-to-day activities. The right depression treatment in a mental health rehab can help you in getting your life back on track. In addition to medication, psychotherapy and lifestyle changes can also help.

Symptoms of Atypical Depression


Signs and symptoms vary from patient to patient. You can notice the following key signs and symptoms:

• Positive events can temporarily improve your mood.
• Weight gain
• Increased appetite
• Feeling sleepy despite sleeping too much
• Legs or arms feeling leaden, heavy lasting an hour or more
• Being sensitive to criticism or rejection

This can affect your personal and professional life. Symptoms can be severe in some patients. These symptoms can also include feeling suicidal. 

Getting Help

Book an appointment with a doctor for timely depression treatment if you feel depressed. Not getting treated can worsen the atypical depression. Get help if you have suicidal thoughts. Following are the steps you can take:

• Call your primary doctor or mental health professional.
• Call local suicide hotline.
• Talk to your family and friends.

Causes of Atypical Depression


The exact cause of atypical depression is still not known. This type of depression can occur during the teenage years. It can be chronic as well. There can be a combination of factors involved in the development of atypical depression. Following are the common factors:

1. Inherited traits
2. Brain differences

Inherited traits


You are at risk if some of your blood relatives are also suffering from atypical depression.


Brain Differences


Neurotransmitters are important brain chemicals. These chemicals are responsible for carrying signals from your brain to the body. The same chemicals carry signals within the brain. Nerve systems and nerve receptors can lead to depression when neurotransmitters are impaired or abnormal.



Atypical Depression - Risk Factors

Following are atypical depression risk factors:

• Bipolar disorder
• Recreational drugs or alcohol misuse
• Environmental stressors
• Traumatic experiences in childhood

The following can increase the risk of atypical depression:

• The death of a loved one or some other stressful life event
• Family history of alcoholism, bipolar disorder or depression

Atypical Depression Complications


Atypical depression and other types of depression are serious illnesses. These mental illnesses can cause major problems. This type of depression can lead to health, behavioral and emotional problems. These problems can adversely affect your life. Atypical depression is also associated with the following:

• Increasing appetite and weight gain
• Problems in personal and professional relationships because of rejection sensitivity
• Alcohol or drug use
• Anxiety and other mental disorders
• Depression leading to suicidal thoughts

Atypical Depression Prevention


Just like the cause of this problem, there is no sure way for the prevention of atypical depression. However, you can take the following preventive measures:

• Learn how to control stress. This will boost your confidence and self-esteem and increase resilience.
• When you are having any troubles in your personal and professional life, talk to your family and friends for help.
• Be aware of the early signs and symptoms of the problem. Getting depression treatment can help in preventing the problem from worsening.
• Treatment can also help in preventing relapse.