In some cases, you can become too tense or angry about minor issues. This is a potential indicator of atypical depression, which is a form of depression except in the fact that it does not necessarily result in deep emotional lows as in the situation with major depression. Individuals who alternate between the feelings of depression and happiness have atypical depression, and such a state of affairs can be puzzling.
However, the good news is that with timely and proper treatment, atypical depression can be managed effectively. Medication and lifestyle changes often help bring balance back. This condition is also sometimes referred to as atypical depressive disorder. If you notice these patterns in yourself, it’s important to reach out for professional support—MAVA Behavioral Health is here to help you every step of the way.
What Is Atypical Depression?
Atypical depression is a kind of depression that has some variance in certain symptoms of the everyday type of depression. Patients with atypical depression may also be better when something goes well with them, and this is not the case with other depressions. Uncommon depression symptoms may include eating too much/ gaining weight, sleeping excessively, being too heavy in their arms or legs, and being unable to withstand what people say or think about the person.
Furthermore, all these atypical features of depression can get in the way of day-to-day living. It can affect your relationship, work, and mood. Surprise cases of depression normally start early in life, and unless one checks it, the problem can last a long time. The advantageous aspect is that, with the right kind of intervention, it can be ameliorated significantly through interventions such as speaking with a therapist and administration of medication.
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Atypical Depression Symptoms
Atypical depression symptoms refer to the irregular symptoms of depression. Individuals under this type can be happier when good things occur, yet they still have issues elsewhere. They can take more food than usual, or sleep excessively, and be highly sensitive to what people are saying. Feeling heavy in the body and a lack of energy are also common. These are referred to as atypical absorption of depression and may impact everyday living.
Something good makes the mood improve.
- Overeating or gaining weight
- Too much sleeping (this is known as hypersomnia)
- Feeling heavy in arms or legs like they are being.
- Having a low tolerance to rejection/ criticism
- The exhaustion or loss of energy after resting
- Difficulty paying attention or with decision-making
- Being sad, hopeless, or anxious is a common thing.
Atypical Depression Causes
1. Genetic Factors
You stand a greater chance of developing atypical depression in case depression or other mood disorders are in your family history. Your genetic composition may also cause stress and emotional responses in your brain.
2. Debilitating Stress or Trauma
The impacts of stress on mental health can be significant since stress may be induced by anything at work, by relationships, or by oneself. There are chances that these events may change how the brain responds to future stressors.
3. Brain Chemical Imbalance
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine aid in mood and emotions. Imbalance of such chemicals may influence the process of feelings and stress in the brain. This imbalance is one of the main reasons for both common and uncommon depression.
4. Hormonal Changes
It seems that hormonal changes during puberty time or pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause affect mood. Such changes can cause alterations in the brain chemistry that develop symptoms of depression. All these make women prone to an unusual type of depression.
5. Medical Conditions
Long-term illnesses, including hypothyroidism, diabetes, or chronic fatigue, can cause depression. It is also possible that improvement in mood symptoms can occur due to illness treatment.
Living With Atypical Depression
An unusual depression is confusing and can be hard to live with. On some days, you can be okay or even happy when something good occurs, but those times do not last long. You may want to sleep longer than normal, or you may eat more, or feel that your body is heavy and tired most of the time. It is one of the most difficult aspects to be too sensitive to what other people say or do, in particular to rejection or criticism.
It requires tolerance and assistance to live with the atypical depressive disorder day to day. You should adhere to your treatment, possibly therapy, medication, or a combination of the two. There is no prohibition to request assistance from friends, family, or a psychological health expert. Slowly, with a lot of attention to detail, you can be better and manage to have control of your life.
7 Tips to Manage Atypical Depression
1. Remain Active Physically
The exercise serves to hasten your mood through the release of feel-good chemicals to your brain. Any sort of walk or light exercise can help. It makes you energetic and does not make you feel heavy. Attempt to incorporate it into your routine life.
2. Better Sleep
Sleeping is as dangerous as it may compound your symptoms. Have bedtime and wake-up times at the right time every day. Do not have a nap in the afternoon in order to be on track. Having good sleep will bring your emotions and energy into balance.
3. Balanced Diet
Don’t consume more junk foods & greasy, sweet food as they also on mood. Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods will give you a strong brain and body. Healthy eating is good for the health of the mind.
4. Replacing Negative Thoughts
The usual feelings that accompany atypical depression are rejection or self-doubt. Learn to identify negative thinking and substitute it with either positive or realistic thinking. This can be assisted by talking to a therapist. You are not what you think– it is subject to modification.
5. Build Up a Support System
Be around those people who bring you a sense of security and feel good about yourself. Do not lock yourself out, even during a low time. Your friends and family can provide you with support and morale. It can also be helpful to join a support group.
6. Stay with your Treatment Plan
In case you were recommended a therapy, it is important to stick to it. Never discontinue treatment by yourself, even though you seem to be better. Therapy is painstaking but can effectively work.
7. Make small and attainable goals
Do not stress yourself to do everything simultaneously. Divide tasks into small steps and take breaks. Small achievements of goals might lead to increased confidence.
Atypical Depression Treatment
1. Atypical Depression Medication
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): This is one kind of medicine whose usage may be particularly useful in tragic episodes of depression; however, it requires a variety of nutritional changes.
- SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): They are fluoxetine, sertraline, and escitalopram. Their prescription is ordinary due to the foundation of fewer side effects.
- Other strange antidepressants like bupropion: They are used in particular when one is having energy levels.
- Consult your regular, basic doctor or any other licensed psychiatrist and ask how to make the best medication decisions concerning your symptoms and medical history.
2. Lifestyle Changes
There are a few changes that you can make to allow you to live with atypical depressive disorder. Even a walk around the block every day could get you in the right mood, and hence, your energy skyrockets through the roof. Eating healthy foods, which are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can sustain your brain and body. In order to cut fatigue and improve concentration, at least try to keep the same sleeping and waking hours every day of the week.
Stress also has to be alleviated. Some forms of relaxation you can employ to free your mind would include deep breathing, yoga, or meditation. Maintaining the balance is another thing that you can do by avoiding alcohol and restricting caffeine. On a day-by-day basis, these little measures can make an enormous difference to your way of feeling.
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Closing Remarks
In case you are suffering from the condition of atypical depression, just remember you are not the only one in the situation, and help is out there. In MAVA Behavioral Health, we know what it feels like to be faced with this kind of depression. We work in a team of caring individuals willing to listen, support, and assist you in every step of the healing process. It is our opinion that under appropriate guidance, every person can start feeling better and improve their way of life towards balance.
Our services are all customized to the individual, and medication management and support. No matter how worn out, exhausted, or even fed up you might be, our team aims to make you regain your strength and to preserve your overall well-being. If you or a loved one exhibits symptoms of atypical depressive disorder, don’t wait another minute to feel better. Contact us at MAVA Behavioral Health!
