Situational vs. Clinical Depression: Differences & Diagnoses
Most people have a basic idea of what depression is. But did you know that there are different kinds of depression you might be experiencing?
Two common forms of depression are situational and clinical. While they might share some symptoms, there are key differences to pay attention to. Getting the right diagnosis when you’re dealing with any kind of mental health issue is crucial.
So, what are the differences between situational and clinical depression, and what should you do if you think you’re dealing with one or the other?
What Is Situational Depression?
Everyone deals with stress. But, when something exceedingly stressful impacts your quality of life, it can lead to situational depression. Situational depression is considered an adjustment disorder. You might have a hard time dealing with a stressful event, life change, or even a traumatic experience. As a result, your mood changes, and you’ll start to feel extreme sadness and hopelessness.
There are countless life events that can trigger situational depression. Some common examples include job loss, going through a divorce, or dealing with the death of a loved one.
What Is Clinical Depression?
Unlike situational depression, clinical depression isn’t caused by a specific event or experience. Rather, it’s more of a chronic, long-lasting condition. While there isn’t just one known cause of clinical depression, you might be at a greater risk of developing it if you have a history of mental illness in your family, you have experienced childhood trauma, or you have a personal history of mental health challenges.
What Are the Symptoms?
It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose these types of depression because the symptoms are so similar.
Commonly shared symptoms of situational and clinical depression include:
Low mood
Feeling hopeless
Fatigue
Loss of interest
Withdrawal from loved ones
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
So, what’s the difference between the two? Situational depression tends to be something that resolves within a few months. Because it’s triggered by a specific situation, short-term treatment can help you overcome your symptoms and move forward.
Clinical depression, on the other hand, often requires some of the symptoms listed above to linger for weeks or months for an official diagnosis. It’s not a quick fix or a short-term problem. The symptoms can severely impact your quality of life, and if you’ve been dealing with them for a long time, you might already be losing the motivation to find help.
What Are the Treatment Options?
If there’s a silver lining to almost any kind of depression, it’s that it’s often a very manageable condition. But it requires the right type of help and support.
If you’re diagnosed with situational depression, therapy is a great option. Your therapist will work with you from the root of your depression while helping with symptom management. You’ll also be encouraged to practice self-care and do things on your own that boost your mental health.
Therapy is also often the best option for clinical depression. But it’s usually not something you’ll attend for a few sessions while expecting your symptoms to go away. Therapy can certainly help you understand where your clinical depression stems from. But it’s often a much longer journey to start healing.
Many people with clinical depression benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. It’s important to work with a professional to find a treatment plan that meets your needs and allows you to be comfortable.
If you’re concerned that you might be struggling with either situational or clinical depression, the best thing you can do is to reach out for help and get the right diagnosis. Contact me today for more information about therapy for young adults.
