What Is the Difference Between Situational Depression and Chronic Depression?
Situational depression is a natural human emotion that everyone experiences. A temporary state of sadness, situational depression can be in response to anything from dreary weather or a fight with a loved one, to the loss of a job or the end of a relationship. Oftentimes situational depression can be resolved with time and adjustment to whatever distressing change has occurred to create a sudden shift in mood.
Chronic depression, known as clinical depression, while similar, can develop into a more serious condition where the individual experiences more than a low mood in response to their circumstances. Clinical depression is generally more long-term and can be severe enough to interfere with one’s ability to function. It may sometimes lead to certain chemicals in the brain, known as neurotransmitters, becoming disrupted and oftentimes requires more resources, like medication and therapy, to be resolved.
While there are differences, situational depression and chronic depression can also go hand in hand. For instance, a distressing event or circumstance can contribute to the onset of an individual’s clinical depression. Conversely, that same event can exacerbate the clinical depression an individual has already been living with for years.
Whether situational or clinical, depression is a very real experience for millions of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and social status, and its effects can oftentimes feel isolating and insurmountable.
What Does Depression Feel Like?
There are many different combinations of symptoms that may indicate depression—over a thousand, in fact.2 Of these, two of the most common indicators of depression include a low mood and a loss of interest. In addition, some other indicators include:
- Feelings of self-loathing and worthlessness
- A lack of energy
- Changes in appetite
- Sleep Disturbance
- Difficulty concentrating
- A lack of motivation, excitement, or anticipation
- Feelings Of Emptiness Or Numbness
- Chronic aches