| Erogenous Depression |
A reaction to external (environmental) factors |
Conflict with a spouse or lover; stress on the job, failure to achieve a goal, or similar types of events. |
| Endogenous Depression |
Reaction to internal (physiological) factors, such as imbalance of particular neurotransmitters |
Chronic depression, without regard to what is going on around the person; may stem from a family history of depression |
| Primary Depression |
Depression is the main medical problem |
Someone who is depressed over the breakup of a relationship and who feels unable to get out of bed as a result |
| Secondary Depression |
Another disorder has caused the depression |
Someone who is injured and is therefore bedridden and then becomes depressed because of the physical limitations |
| Involuntary Depression |
Associated with advanced age |
Consequences associated with age, such as the realization that it is too late in life to achieve goals that were set at an earlier stage |
| Postpartum Depression |
Occurs after childbirth and can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year |
Stress is usually the primary cause; other causes might be hormonal changes, changes in neurotransmitters, and fatigue; external locus of control, anxiety, and hostility; and lack of spousal and other social support |
| Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) |
Typically occurs during winter months |
A lack of available ambient light; irregularities in melatonin production |