Atypical Depression - Research

Research

In general, atypical depression tends to cause greater functional impairment than other forms of depression. Atypical depression is a chronic syndrome that tends to begin earlier in life than other forms of depression — usually beginning in the teenage years. Similarly, patients with atypical depression are more likely to suffer from other psychiatric syndromes such as panic disorder, social phobia, avoidant personality disorder, or body dysmorphic disorder.

Recent research suggests that females are more likely to be affected by atypical depression than males, and that young people are more likely to suffer from hypersomnia while older people are more likely to suffer from polyphagia.

Medication response differs between chronic atypical depression and acute melancholic depression. Some studies suggest that an older class of drugs, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), may be more effective at treating atypical depression. While the more modern SSRIs are usually quite effective in this illness, the tricyclic antidepressants typically are not.

In addition, SSRI responses can often be enhanced with "booster" medications, and medication regimens seem to work best when combined with appropriate psychotherapy. It is important to remember that such co-morbid syndromes as panic disorder may not be fully treated without additional medication(s).

It has been noted that patients with atypical depression often suffer from intense cravings for carbohydrates. A mineral supplement, chromium picolinate, was found to assuage these cravings. It also was found to have an antidepressant effect on some atypical depression sufferers.

Some hypothesize that atypical depression may be related to thyroid dysregulation. Some studies have found subtle thyroid abnormalities in people with atypical depression. Another study suggests that patients may benefit from triiodothyronine, a medication used to treat hypothyroidism.