Certain medications, including those for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or irregular heartbeat
Sleep disturbances
Amount of exposure to light
Heredity
Chronic stress (loss, abuse, or deprivation during childhood).
Nutritional deficiencies
Family history of depression
History of mental, physical, or sexual abuse
Current or past alcohol or drug abuse
What is atypical depression?

It is a subtype of Major Depression characterized by mood reactivity being able to experience improved mood in response to positive events. People feel deeply depressed or kind of  helpless depending on the latest situation they  faced.  “Atypical” depression is a very common subtype of all depression cases. Up to 40% of the depressed population may be classified as having this type of depression.

How is atypical any different from any other kind of depression?

Atypical and typical depression are different because typical depression is characterized by a never ending sadness no matter what. Atypical may present ups and downs depending on the event, some studies show that MAOIs medications are more effective for atypical patients and women suffer more from it than men.

Atypical depression symptoms

The DSM-IV mandates at least two of the following: increase in appetite or weight gain (as opposed to the reduced appetite or weight loss of “typical” depression); excessive sleeping (as opposed to insomnia); leaden paralysis; and sensitivity to rejection.
Researches from the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University School of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital found that: (1) younger age was positively associated with hypersomnia and negatively associated with leaden paralysis, while middle age was positively associated with both hyperphagia and rejection sensitivity; (2) female sex was associated with all of the atypical symptoms except rejection sensitivity; (3) a greater severity of illness was positively associated with leaden paralysis and rejection sensitivity, and negatively associated with mood reactivity; and (4) a duration of illness of greater than 3 months was positively associated with hyperphagia, leaden paralysis, and rejection sensitivity.”

What is the best treatment?

The most common way to treat this type of depression is by using antidepressants. There are still many questions about prescribing MAOIs or newer oral medications, however a psychiatrist will be in charged of giving advice according to physical and psychological evaluations and tests. Many people consider therapy as a good pair along with antidepressants.

The same treatments that works for “typical” depression also works for atypical, but the difference between success and waste of efforts may depend on the ability to communicate to the psychiatrist and therapist. Matters that don’t seem to be very relevant like sleeping, eating or spending free time will make the difference in devising medications and talking therapy sessions that really cause and impact to the patient and his/her atypical depression causes.