Atypical Depression in Teens: Causes, Signs, and Treatment

Teens with all kinds of depression may appear happy or content even when they’re feeling sad or depressed. But with atypical depression, the underlying mood may actually lift from time to time in response to good news or positive interactions with others.

One of the most common misconceptions about depression is that there are only two kinds of depression – the mild, subclinical depression that almost anyone may experience from time to time, which tends to run its course and pass on its own, and clinical depression, the more serious, long-lasting type of depression that doesn’t pass on its own and needs to be treated with clinical methods like therapy or medication.!

What many people don’t realize is that there are a variety of different types of depression with different causes, not all of which are fully understood. Some examples of different types of depression include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Atypical depression

Atypical depression is one of the least well-known and most misunderstood types of depression. Take a look at what you need to know about the causes, signs, and treatments of atypical depression.

Treatment Options

One other thing that distinguishes atypical features from other forms of depression is the response to treatment.

Major depression is often treated with tricyclic antidepressants, but these tend not to produce much improvement in people suffering from atypical depression. Although, people who are suffering from the mental illness do respond to monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOIs) and, in most cases, to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Medication is not the only form of treatment. Psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy, is also an effective method of treatment for those with symptoms of atypical depression. In psychotherapy sessions, people who suffer from depression talk about their feelings, relationships, and experiences. They work on identifying and changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, setting realistic personal goals, exploring coping strategies and problem-solving techniques, and finding ways to relieve disruptive symptoms of depression.

In many cases, atypical depression symptoms are best treated with a combination of therapy and medication.

There is no one medication or combination of medications that works for every person diagnosed with atypical depression. People who have atypical features may need to try several different medications or combinations of medications before finding the formula that works best for them.

Therapy, in addition to having its own benefits, can also be a helpful way to monitor the effectiveness of medication and how the person taking it is responding to the medication. Antidepressant medications also have potentially negative side effects that affect some people more than others, so those experiencing side effects may need a change in medication or therapeutic strategy even if the medication is working to relieve the symptoms of depression.

It’s important to understand that a person may be suffering from depression even if their moods seem to lift in response to positive events.

There are a number of different types of depression, and atypical depression is as serious as other types of depression like major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, or seasonal affective disorder. People who are experiencing atypical depression are at risk for dangerous behaviors, such as self-harm or even suicidal ideation or attempts.

Atypical depression should be taken seriously and people suffering with atypical features should seek professional treatment from a doctor, therapist, or counselor.

Other Youth Mental Health Topics You May Find Helpful…