Sanjay J. Mathew, MD is the Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine, Bryan, Texas. He is also a staff psychiatrist at the Michael E. Debakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Dartmouth College and Baylor College of Medicine, and trained in psychiatry at Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute, where he also completed a NIH-funded research fellowship in affective and anxiety disorders. His research program focuses on developing novel therapies for patients with treatment-resistant mood and anxiety disorders and PTSD, with a particular focus on rapid-acting glutamate-modulating agents.
Article2 min read
4 Types of Depression in Women (and How to Know if You Have Them)
- Sanjay Mathew MD
- Oct 1, 2025
- 2
While this isn’t an exhaustive list of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) depression types, it covers four common depressive disorders that affect women. If you feel you may be suffering from one of these conditions, you should seek diagnosis from a licensed healthcare professional.
Infographic: How to Spot 4 Common Types of Depression in Women
| What it is: | What to look for: | |
| Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) | Overwhelming sadness or despair that never goes away and doesn’t seem to have a clear reason | Loss of interest Social withdrawal Constant tiredness Cognitive issues Changes in appetite Suicidal thoughts |
| Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) | Cyclical depression that follows a seasonal pattern, generally lasting for four to five months during winter or summer | Changes in sleep, appetite, and mood that interfere with daily life during the affected months, but improve throughout the rest of the year |
| Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) | An extreme form of PMS that presents symptoms during the luteal phase of a woman’s menstrual cycle | Extreme irritability, sudden mood changes, and social withdrawal that begins one to two weeks before your period and go away two to three days before your period |
| Postpartum Depression | Depression experienced by a mother after giving birth, typically due to a combination of hormonal changes and psychological adjustments | Feelings of shame or hopelessness Irritability Anger Changes in sleep or appetite Lack of interest in the baby Thoughts of self-harm or harming the baby |
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