Symptoms of Situational Depression

Situational depression, also referred to as an adjustment disorder, is caused by a reaction to stressful events or life situations. Common causes are the end of a relationship, death of a friend or relative, a major life change or a traumatic event. Unlike major depression, the symptoms are short lived and generally disappear once the person adjusts to the event or life circumstances improve. Symptoms may be severe for a short time, but are generally alleviated by learning coping techniques, and medications can also be used for a short period.

Onset and Duration

• Symptoms generally begin within the first three months of the stressful event and may last for six months after the event. The reactions to the event can be severe, and may interfere with the person's ability to function normally.

Sleep Difficulties

• Those suffering from situational depression often experience insomnia, but oversleeping may also be a problem. Lack of adequate sleep triggers irritability and leads to a lack of energy, making it difficult to perform daily tasks. Sadness and obsessive crying, particularly at the onset of the depression, may be pervasive, preventing sufferers from finding enjoyment from any of their previous activities.

Anxiety

• Anxiety and worry may overtake the individual, altering his perception and reactions to everyday events. Heart palpitations and anxiety attacks may cause the person to fear that his health is at risk. A negative outlook may cause strained relationships and failure to seize opportunities, resulting in an even more dismal outlook on life.

Change in Appetite

• Changes in appetite often affect people with situational depression, and can present either as overeating to deal with the stress or as a total loss of appetite. Rapid weight gain or loss may result in damaged self-esteem, which often causes the depression to deepen.

Withdrawal

• Lack of interest in the world around them often causes people suffering from situational depression to withdraw from others. This, in turn, creates isolation, and people feel alone and misunderstood. Efforts to involve them in outside activities are often met with apathy or lack of enthusiasm.

Helplessness

• Feelings of helplessness may overpower those suffering from situational depression, as they feel unable to cope with their life situation and are unable to see alternatives, which may result in alcohol or drug abuse as a way to cope with these feelings.

Absenteism

• Psychosomatic illnesses like stomachaches and headaches are often symptoms of situational depression, and can contribute to missed work or school, causing the person to fall behind in her obligations and increasing her level of stress.