Antidepressants are commonly prescribed as the initial approach to treating depression. However, recent research indicates that individuals with a specific illness profile, known as atypical depression, are less likely to benefit from these medications and are more prone to experiencing adverse effects like additional weight gain.

Experts note that those suffering from atypical depression exhibit a higher genetic predisposition to various mental and physical health conditions, including diabetes. Unfortunately, this group also tends to respond poorly to traditional antidepressants.

One individual, who was dealing with atypical depression, faced challenges due to physical symptoms such as metabolic, sleep, and inflammatory issues, which complicated the diagnosis process. This made it difficult to pinpoint the root cause of her struggles.

Acknowledging the complexity of her condition, she admits, “Even though I’ve worked in mental health for a long time, I didn’t recognize some of the things I was experiencing as depression,” said Hutcheon.

The study’s findings highlight the potential influence of biological processes, like a disrupted body clock, in atypical depression. This insight underscores the necessity for alternative treatment methods focusing on the circadian rhythm, offering hope for more effective management of this unique depression type.

“Even though I’ve worked in mental health for a long time, I didn’t recognise some of the things I was experiencing as depression,” Hutcheon said.

The study findings suggested biological processes, such as a dysregulated body clock, might be behind atypical depression, and showed the need for alternative treatments that targeted the circadian rhythm.