Everyone feels sad from time to time and this is a natural human emotion. But depression is a serious condition that can affect every aspect of a person's life.

Situational and clinical depression are similar, but not the same. Recognizing the signs of situational and clinical depression is the first step toward getting appropriate help.

Situational depression often goes away in time, and talking about the problem can ease the recovery process. If recovery does not occur, the more severe condition of clinical depression may develop. This is harder to resolve, and the person with clinical depression should seek medical help.

Contents of this article:

    What is situational depression?
    What is clinical depression?
    Clinical depression diagnosis
    Situational depression treatment options
    Clinical depression treatment options

What is situational depression?

Situational depression or adjustment disorder with depressed mood is a short-term form of depression that occurs as the result of a traumatic event or change in a person's life.

Triggers can include divorce, loss of a job, the death of a close friend, a serious accident, and other major life changes such as retirement.

Situational depression stems from a person's struggle to come to terms with the changes that have occurred. Once the person is able to cope with the new situation, recovery is possible.

For instance, following the death of a parent, it may take a while before a person can accept that their loved one is gone. Until this time, they may be unable to move on with their life.

Symptoms can include:

    Listlessness
    Feelings of hopelessness and sadness
    Sleeping difficulties
    Frequent episodes of crying
    Unfocused anxiety and worry
    Loss of concentration
    Withdrawal from normal activities as well as from family and friends
    Suicidal thoughts

Most people who experience situational depression begin to have symptoms within about 90 days following the triggering event.
 

What is clinical depression?

Clinical depression is more severe than situational depression. It is also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It is severe enough to interfere with daily life.

It is classified as a mood disorder and it typically involves chemical imbalances in the brain.

Clinical depression can have genetic origins or it may develop as a response to painful or stressful experiences or events, such as a major loss. These major life events can trigger negative emotions such as anger, disappointment, or frustration.

Depression can change the way a person thinks and how the body works.

Alcohol and drug abuse are also linked to clinical depression.
 

Clinical depression diagnosis

To be formally diagnosed with clinical depression, a person must meet the symptom criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association.

To be diagnosed with clinical depression, a person must show five or more symptoms from a specific list of criteria, over a 2-week period for most of the day, nearly every day.

The symptoms should be severe enough that they substantially reduce the person's ability to perform their regular duties and routines.

At least one of the symptoms experienced must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure.

Other signs and symptoms include:

    Depressed mood or constant irritability
    Significantly reduced interest or feeling no pleasure in activities
    Significant weight loss or weight gain
    A decrease or increase in appetite
    Insomnia or an increased desire to sleep
    Restlessness or slowed behavior
    Tiredness or loss of energy
    Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
    Trouble making decisions or concentrating
    Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide or a suicide attempt

Some people with clinical depression experience delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic disturbances. These do not generally occur in people with situational depression.
 

Situational depression treatment options

Situational depression is a natural response to a traumatic event. It normally ceases to be a problem once the stressful situation or event has passed, if the situation improves, or when the person learns to better deal with the situation.

In most cases, situational depression is only short-term.

Mild cases of situational depression often disappear on their own, but there are some strategies a person can adopt to reduce the effects and help them feel better.

A few helpful lifestyle changes include:

    Getting regular exercise
    Eating a well-balanced diet
    Keeping to regular sleeping habits
    Talking to loved ones
    Joining a formal support group
    Taking up a hobby or leisure activity

People who find it difficult to recover from a traumatic experience may need to talk to a trained psychotherapist. This specialist can help them to get back on track.

Family therapy might also be recommended. If needed, a doctor may prescribe medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.

Clinical depression treatment options

Clinical depression can last for a long time, and it may require a more long-term and in-depth treatment plan. Normally, a combination of psychotherapy or psychological counseling and medications are used to treat clinical depression.

A primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe the correct medicine or refer an individual to a mental health professional if necessary.

In severe cases, especially if a person tries to self-harm, they may need to stay in the hospital or attend an outpatient treatment program until symptoms improve.

The goal is to find the right treatment plan and get the person back on the right track. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can also encourage recovery.