5 Red Flags You’re Dealing With ‘Situational’ Depression

Depression is not something that everyone experiences.For many people, depression lasts a long time or feels as if it keeps recurring.For others, depression may only occur in certain situations and last for a short time.The latter condition is referred to by many as “situational depression”.

Situational depression is a depressive experience triggered by a traumatic event or life change, such as a job loss, the death of a loved one, or an unstable work environment.It is often considered a normal reaction to a major life change or trauma.

The term “situational depression” is more of an informal description and is usually categorized as an “adjustment disorder”.

When people think of situational depression, they usually think of adjustment disorder.Dysphoria is a response to a stressor that is more intense than a typical emotional response, but not as severe as a full-blown depressive episode.

Wondering if your experience of depression is “situational” or chronic?Below, experts share some insights on the subject.

Your mood has changed.

As with other depression-related experiences, situational depression is often accompanied by low mood and feelings of sadness, guilt, or despair.You may also have a harder time than usual feeling happy or joyful.

The first step is to recognize a change in your mental health.If you’re not sure, consider asking someone who knows you well if he or she has noticed a change in your mood.

It’s perfectly normal and understandable to be depressed.

People sometimes feel pressure to ignore negativity-especially in a world of Instagram photo perfection-but in the middle of the year, with a global epidemic raging, an uncertain economy, a nationwide referendum on racial violence, and familiesdivided by political stances, it’s normal to experience strong, sometimes negative emotions and there’s no need to feel ashamed.

Your behavior has changed.

In addition to mood changes, a variety of behavioral changes have been linked to situational depression.These include changes in appetite and eating habits, lack of or excessive sleep, crying, social isolation, tantrums, brooding, low energy, and more.

People may binge drink or act recklessly, or “vent” – impulsively or self-harm, use drugs, sex, etc.When a person makes bad decisions – or has self-harming thoughts or behaviors – this is concerning.This requires seeking professional help immediately.

Your symptoms will appear months after a specific stressor.

Usually, you will experience emotional or behavioral symptoms within three months of a specific stressor in your life.

Basically, you are having an emotional reaction to a traumatic event or life change that is greater than the expected reaction to the stressor. What constitutes an “expected” reaction may vary, depending on your culture, underlying emotions and behaviors.

In more extreme cases, such as the trauma caused by the New Crown epidemic, your baseline may change, as everyone experiences some emotional and behavioral changes during this time.But it’s important to continue to monitor your psychological response and how it affects your daily life.

You are having trouble functioning.

When you have situational depression, your symptoms may be severe enough to interfere with your daily life.You may lack motivation and have difficulty concentrating.

People often experience low mood or anxiety that is severe enough to interfere with their normal life, such as not being able to concentrate on work or neglecting relationships.You shouldn’t let the “situational” moniker keep you from seeking treatment when you need it.

Symptoms are relatively short-lived.

Finally, the main factor that separates situational depression from chronic depression is how long you have been experiencing the problem.

Situational depression has a shorter duration than other forms of depression.Situational depression ends when the event is over, the person recovers, or with the passage of time.Treatment can help reduce the severity and duration of symptoms.

These symptoms tend to disappear about six months after the stressor is gone.Although disorders such as situational depression do not usually require medication, they can be serious and increase the risk of suicide.

If the situation that triggered the symptoms was severely traumatizing, you may also experience other symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, or other problems associated with PTSD.Talking to a professional can help you determine the best course of action for your particular situation.

The best way to address adjustment disorder is to stop the stressor (if possible) and get treatment.

If these symptoms impair someone’s ability to function, especially if someone is having suicidal thoughts, treatment should be sought.There are good, evidence-based treatments that can bring relief even when this stressful condition persists.