Our life is full of risky events and situations that cause stress. When you are hard to cope with a source of stress, you may have situational depression. You begin feeling fear, sadness and hopelessness. These are the most common symptoms of situational depression; they mainly disappear after your adaptation to the new situations and they usually do not last long, unlike symptoms of major depression. However, sometimes they last long depending on circumstances. Situational depression differs from most forms of depression and it is defined as an emotional event affecting practically everybody at least one time in life.
Situational Depression: its causes and symptoms
Why is situational depression called an adjustment disorder? It is called so, because it is caused by problems associated with a certain situation, unlike true mental disorder. However, it is not treated, it may result in major depression. That is why it is so important to know causes and symptoms of situational depression. It will help to avoid more serious health problems. It can last a short or a long period of time. For example, if someone failed an exam or did not win a lottery, it would take him or her only a few days to get over from it. But, is a person lost a loved one, he or she may suffer from situational depression for years. So, what are the main causes of situational depression? They are divorce, death of a close person, loss of job or financial loss, failure of goals. Situational depression symptoms can vary from sever to mild depending on the person. What causes depression in you, does not cause it in your friend, relative or someone else. Somebody is more emotional about financial problems or weight gain, somebody is less concerned about them. For example, middle-aged people are less concerned about weight gain than teenagers. Somebody is inconsolable for his relative’s or loved one’s loss, somebody is less bothered about it. It influences symptoms and length of situational depression very much. In other words, if the person doesn’t consider a crisis a big problem, length of his or her depression will be short, and situational depression will be mild. Otherwise, this disorder will last long and its symptoms will be severe. Long periods of depression are usually caused by big losses. Sometimes it is difficult to make a proper diagnosis, because symptoms of situational depression are similar to those ones of clinical depression. In such a case, so-called life event inventory is the best way to determine whether the person is suffering from clinical or situational depression. If you have moods, try to remember the last events and think if they could cause your depression.
How to recover form situational depression
If you want to get rid of this disorder, follow the below mentioned techniques. If you feel your love one’s death, try to keep yourself busy and take part in different activities. Do not let this situation to break your will. If you have financial or other problems, try to find something positive in such situation. Do not set unachievable goals. Believe everything in the lap of the gods. Avoid negative thought and feelings. As any disorder, situational depression should be treated. Therapy methods and counselling will also help you to recover. Be optimistic!