Situational Depression Versus Chronic Depression

Nationwide, about 5% of the population struggles from depression, and at least 21 million people have experienced a major depressive episode.

Whether it’s grief, stress, job loss, or a cross-country move, everyone faces difficult moments. But when emotional distress turns to depression and starts to affect your daily rhythms, it can be tricky to determine if you're experiencing a temporary response to a particular situation or a persistent mood change.

At Greathope Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services in Garland, Texas, Chima Asikaiwe, MD, Cecilia Chanda, DNP, PMHNP, and Amy Baynash, PMHNP, work as a team to help you understand what you're going through. Whether your symptoms are new or long-standing, turn to our knowledgeable and skilled providers for effective treatment and compassionate support.

In this month’s blog, we explain situational and chronic depression and how you can tell the difference between the two.

What is situational depression?

Situational depression develops after a notable event in your life. Perhaps it’s signing the final divorce papers, the sudden loss of a job, a major move, or the death of someone you love. Your mind and body are reacting to a massive change and may make you feel:

• Overwhelmed
• Tearful
• Unmotivated
• Unusually tired
• Withdrawn
• Socially isolated
• Scattered
• Unfocused

Situational depression is temporary, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. Short-term therapy and medication can stabilize you and help you feel more supported while you adjust emotionally.

What is chronic depression?

Chronic depression typically lasts two years or longer. Unlike situational depression, it’s not always triggered by a single event. Maybe you’ve been dealing with a low mood for so long that you're not sure you’ll ever feel yourself again.

Common chronic depression symptoms include:

• Feeling down all the time
• Being numb to life’s ups and downs
• Chronic fatigue
• Low motivation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Indecisiveness
• Hopelessness
• Feeling stuck

Living with chronic depression makes everyday tasks feel like a pointless burden. It’s a serious condition and often requires a proactive, long-term treatment approach that combines talk therapy, medication management, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, and/or ketamine therapy.

The right diagnosis makes a difference

The symptoms may overlap, making it difficult to tell situational and chronic depression apart. That’s why getting a professional diagnosis is necessary for proper treatment.

At Greathope Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Services, we consider your personal history, current stressors, and how long you’ve been struggling with symptoms to get a full picture of your emotional and overall health.

In addition to talk therapy, medication management, TMS, or ketamine therapy, your care plan may include lifestyle counseling, group therapy, and psychological testing to help you process what you’re feeling and learn to build coping tools. Your plan is tailored to your unique needs, and we adjust it as those needs change.

You don’t have to be defined by depression

When you’re living with depression, whether it’s situational and started recently or chronic and has been part of your life for years, it can be hard to imagine things ever getting better. Remind yourself that it’s a mental health condition, and it's highly treatable.

Our knowledgeable team understands the weight that depression brings. We’ve helped many patients regain their sense of joy and purpose, and we can help you, too.  Call today to schedule your first appointment. You can also request one online.