Symptoms

A person with atypical depression might sleep too much, eat too much, have intense reactions to rejection, have the feeling of being paralyzed or weighed down, and undergo mood reactivity, meaning his mood improves when he receives good news or something good happens.

Diagnosis

People with atypical depression often don't have as many symptoms as those with major depression. Undergoing mood reactivity is not common in other forms of depression and can help diagnose atypical depression.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for atypical depression include a family history of depression; physical, mental or sexual abuse; serious illness; drug or alcohol abuse; isolation from friends and family; and suffering a loss of family or friends from death or divorce.

Treatments

Atypical depression often responds to monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Doctors will typically start with antidepressants and might switch to MAOIs or SSRIs to find what works best.

Considerations

Atypical depression is diagnosed more often in women than men. If you think that you or someone you know has atypical depression, you should consult your physician or a mental health professional.

Source:

Helpguide.org: Understanding Depression

MayoClinic.com: Depression

WebMD.com: Atypical Depression