So you have been living with depression for at least two weeks. And people in the know can’t help but ask you the silly question: why? why are you depressed? But maybe it isn’t so silly after all, because it’s got you thinking as well. Do I have situational depression? Do I have clinical depression? Or do I have both? Here is the answer you have been looking for.
What Is Situational Depression?
As the term implies, situational depression happens due to a particular situation in your life. Healthline defines it as a “short-term, stress-related type of depression. It can develop after you experience a traumatic event or series of events. Situational depression is a type of adjustment disorder. It can make it hard for you to adjust to your everyday life following a traumatic event. It’s also known as reactive depression.”
Some common events that cause situational depression are a breakup or a divorce, job loss, the death of a loved one, bullying, sexual harassment, and so on. In my experience, situational depression feels exactly like clinical depression. The only difference is that once the situation improves, or as time passes and you adapt to it, situational depression slowly fades away. And if it doesn’t fade away, it at least becomes somewhat manageable. Of course, your experience may be different, which is why you should not take situational depression lightly.
What Is Clinical Depression?
As the term implies, clinical depression occurs because of a chemical imbalance in your brain. This is a rather simplistic way of putting it because researchers have not yet uncovered all the causes of clinical depression. MayoClinic defines it as “the more severe form of depression, also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It isn’t the same as depression caused by a loss, such as the death of a loved one, or a medical condition, such as a thyroid disorder.” In other words, you do not need to go through something painful or traumatic to experience clinical depression. Everything in your life may be going exactly as you want it to, and you can still be clinically depressed. And no, this doesn’t mean you are ungrateful, it only means you are a person with clinical depression.
Similar to situational depression, the intensity of clinical depression varies from person to person. In both types of depression, you can be either low-functioning, medium-functioning, or high-functioning. Generally, depression renders me a medium-functioning individual.
Can You Have Both Situational And Clinical Depression At The Same Time?
Yes, of course. What’s more, untreated situational depression can lead to clinical depression over time. Due to certain unsettling events in my personal life, I am experiencing situational depression nowadays. Since I have something called double depression, which is a mixture of persistent depressive disorder and clinical depression, I am also dealing with clinical depression. So yes, I am living proof that it is possible to have both situational and clinical depression at the same time. In fact, since there are so many types of depression, it is possible to have several types of depression all at once.
It’s not easy to live with depression, no matter what kind it is. Antidepressants prescribed by my psychiatrist, talk therapy, and the knowledge that nothing lasts forever are some of the things keeping me afloat these days.
How Do You Know Which Type You Have?
While reading this post, you may have been able to self-diagnose. But to be 100% sure, it’s best to consult a licensed mental health professional for an official diagnosis. A variety of professionals can diagnose your depression: general practitioners, psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, and in some cases, even social workers.
While their diagnostic processes may vary, it is standard to consult the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision: the DSM-5-TR. Updated in March 2022, the American Psychiatric Association has made sure “to add clarity around certain mental health conditions and diagnostic criteria and codes. Cultural, racial, and ethnic factors, as well as gender inclusivity, have been intentionally reviewed and updated in the new DSM-5-TR.” You can find out more about DSM-5-TR here.
How Can You Cope?
For your safety and well-being, it is crucial to seek immediate professional help for all and any type of depression. Consult a psychologist to seek therapy, and do so unapologetically.
Note that while therapists or psychologists can diagnose depression, they cannot prescribe medication. If therapy alone does not help you, be open to medication as well. Antidepressants are not addictive and can help you feel better if you are severely depressed. And no matter what, always be kind to yourself.
What Else Can You Do Besides Therapy & Medication?
For situational depression, try your best to minimize the impact of whatever is stressing you out to the point of depression. And then, try to make time for hobbies, passions, and spending time with loved ones. Even if nothing interests you much or at all, go through the motions to pass the time. Over time, you are likely to find yourself regaining interest in your hobbies and passions.
For clinical depression, since there is no stressor responsible for your depression, you need to invest in self-care and try your best to stay busy. By self-care, I mean you should be kind to yourself and accept your limitations. If you are so depressed that being busy is not possible, sleep is the next best thing.
In both cases, your mental health professional is the first person you should reach out to as they will give you the tools you need to cope with depression.
