An Overview of Situational Depression

Situational depression involves抑郁症状与压力有关。它不是一种公认的临床疾病，而是一个非正式的术语，用来描述更正式的诊断为一种调节障碍。

These feelings of depression are usually triggered by a traumatic event, sudden stress, or major life change. Triggers can include events like a serious accident, divorce, job loss, or death of a loved one.

Situational depression may be diagnosed as调节障碍情绪低落。虽然这种情况的特征是情绪相关的症状，但是Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5)categorizes adjustment disorder as a type of trauma or stressor-related disorder.

症状

症状of situational depression include:

• Feelings of low mood and sadness
• 流泪；频繁的哭泣
• 绝望
• Poor concentration
• 缺乏动力
• Loss of pleasure
• 退出正常活动
• Loneliness或者社会孤立
• Thoughts of suicide

After a difficult life event, whether it is a change in a relationship, the loss of your job, or the death of a loved one, the stress of the situation can cause you to feel sad, helpless, apathetic, lost, irritable, or even hopeless. You might cry frequently, feel listless and unable to focus, or find yourself unable to cope with normal, day-to-day tasks. Things you are normally able to handle seem overwhelming or impossible.

While symptoms usually recede within six months, they may range in severity from milder cases to more severe.

原因

情境性抑郁开始于某种重大的生活改变或创伤之后。一些可能引发这种抑郁的事件包括：

• Death of a loved one
• 离婚
• Relationship problems
• Relocating
• Job loss
• Financial problems
• Illness
• Unstable employment
• Unstable living situation
• Retirement
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters
• 家庭、学校或工作中的社会问题

There are certain factors that may increase the risk of situational depression. These include:

• Having an existing mental health condition
• 过去的童年压力和创伤
• 同时经历多重创伤或压力
• A family history of depression

Situational depression differs from重度抑郁症(MDD) in a few important ways. Where situational depression is triggered by life stressors, MDD often has a range of causes. Situational depression is also shorter in duration, where MDD can be much longer-lasting. If a person has symptoms that meet full criteria for major depression in response to a stressor, they would not be considered to have "situational" depression or adjustment disorder but would be diagnosed with major depressive disorder.

诊断

In order to be diagnosed with adjustment disorder with depressed mood, these symptoms must also cause marked distress and significant impairment in important areas of life functioning.

虽然情境性抑郁往往不那么严重，也不像重度抑郁症那样普遍，但这并不会使这种情况变得更“真实”。情境性抑郁挑战幸福感，并可能使日常生活中的功能变得困难。

Treatment

与医生交谈有助于确定你是否患有情境性抑郁症。幸运的是，有效的治疗可以帮助你控制你的症状。这些通常包括治疗症状以及处理引发这些感觉的压力源。

Once the stressor has been dealt with, people will begin to adjust and cope as symptoms subside.

情境性抑郁是一种常见的自然反应，对一个非常有压力或创伤的事件。症状通常是短期的，并随着以下情况开始改善：

• 时光流逝
• 个人康复
• The situation improves

情境性抑郁症的治疗可能包括个人咨询、团体支持和治疗抑郁症严重症状的药物。在某些情况下，心理治疗和药物治疗相结合可以用来治疗情境性抑郁症。

Psychotherapy approaches may include the use of认知行为疗法是治疗抑郁症的有效方法。CBT有助于用更具适应性的思维模式取代消极的思维模式。它还能帮助人们更好地适应压力，提高应对技能，从而有助于防止将来抑郁症状的复发。

治疗情境性抑郁的药物可能包括抗抑郁药和抗焦虑药。

Coping

There are a number of lifestyle changes that may help you cope with situational depression:

• 健康均衡的饮食
• 坚持常规
• 经常锻炼
• Joining a support group either in your community or online
• 开始新的爱好或娱乐活动
• 与朋友和家人交谈

Sometimes situational depression resolves on its own as time passes. People who have good coping skills and弹性may be more likely to recover on their own with adequate self-care and social support.

有一种应对策略很有用，那就是把精力放在解决问题上。无论你面对的是什么样的压力，寻找你能做的事情来改善现状都能帮助你专注于未来。分析情况，考虑可能有助于改善情况的解决方案，然后朝着实现这些目标努力。

This approach also keeps you focused on the aspects of the situation that you can control, rather than dwelling on the things that are out of your hands.

维利韦尔的一句话

Situational depression can be difficult, but it is important to remember that the things you are feeling are temporary. Good coping mechanisms and the support of your loved ones can often relieve symptoms and help you deal with stressful events. As you recover and the situation gets better, you will likely find that your mood improves over time.

If your symptoms seem to be getting worse, talk to your doctor or mental health professional.