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Atypical Depression

(Depression with Atypical Features)

by Amy Scholten, MPH

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

Depression is a lasting low mood and lack of interest in doing things. In atypical depression, mood may improve for a short time. There are other symptoms that often do not occur with depression.

Causes

The exact cause of atypical depression is not known. It is probably due to changes in brain chemistry. Genes and environment likely play a role.

The Brain

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this condition are:

Prior mental illness
Drug or alcohol use disorder
Long term illness, such as cancer
Stress or trauma
Depression runs in the family
A history of abuse
Certain medicines
Lack of support

Symptoms

People with atypical depression have depression with short periods of improved mood. Mood gets better when something positive happens. It then goes back to being low. Other symptoms may be:

Eating too much
Sleeping too much
Arms or legs feel heavy
Feeling rejected

Diagnosis

There are no tests to diagnose this condition. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history.

The doctor may give questionnaires. A physical exam and other tests may be done. They can help rule out other causes.

Treatment

The goal is to improve mood and ease other symptoms. Options are:

Medicines for depression—they may take 2 to 6 weeks to work best
Counseling —to help with coping
Physical activity—to help ease symptoms

Prevention

Depression cannot always be prevented. However, the risk of symptoms may be lowered by:

Getting mental health care, if needed
Finding supportive people
Learning skills to reduce stress
Getting plenty of sleep, exercise, and leisure
Not abusing alcohol or drugs
Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

RESOURCES:

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
http://www.dbsalliance.org

Mental Health America
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Mental Health Association
https://cmha.ca

Canadian Psychiatric Association
http://www.cpa-apc.org

References:

Atypical depression. Mayo Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed March 9, 2021.

Depression in older adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/depression-in-older-adults. Accessed March 9, 2021.

Juruena MF, Bocharova M, et al. Atypical depression and non-atypical depression: Is HPA axis function a biomarker? A systematic review. J Affect Disord. 2018;233:45-67.

Major depressive disorder. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/major-depressive-disorder-mdd. Accessed March 9, 2021.

Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Adrian Preda, MD
Last Updated: 3/9/2021

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