Situational Depression

[DDNatureLover]

There are different types of depression, and some are pervasive, while others are situational. I have a difficult time dealing with people who act as if I should take a pill to help my depression, without even understanding why I have depression. I often tell such people that if I wasn't depressed in my situation, I would be unusual. I do have times when I laugh, smile, and have a good time, but my living circumstances are depressing, and therefore I'm depressed. I'm doing all I can to improve my situation, but until that happens, I will be depressed.


I can deal with some of my circumstances, such as the constant pain and fatigue, and also the flares (periods when my medical conditions are suddenly worse), but my depression mainly stems from my inability to change the situation, and from the day to day existence of struggling just to make ends meet. I wouldn't advise someone living in an abusive or otherwise toxic situation to take a pill for their depression, and it irks me when others expect me to do that.

 

[kgord]

I think even if you have a chronic ongoing, low grade depression, situational depression can always make your condition worse. I mean a reactive depression is caused by situations that cause you distress. Many people have these types of life circumstances that cause them depression, and they may or may not need medication. I think it probably depends on how long the depression has been going on, and whether or not it is something that can be alleviated in other ways. It is clearly a decision to make with your doctor.

 

[rz3300]

Well I think that all depression is really situational when you think about it, but certainly some people experience it far more often than others. I am pretty sure that I am on the lower side of the spectrum when it comes to the severity of depression, but maybe on the higher end when it comes to situations that I feel depressed. I think that makes sense, at least it does to me in my head somehow. Social situations are really when you will see my depression start to manifest itself, and I know that I am not alone there.

 

[gracer]

I can relate with you DDNatureLover. I can say that my living circumstances right now is also a big factor as to why I am so depressed right now. I just feel like nothing is working out right for me and I sometimes question why. I see my friends all successful and happy with their way of living but why am I in a situation where things seem to be so hard for me. It's as if all doors are closed for me right now and nothings seems to open even quiet a bit. There's this feeling of unfairness and there's also this feeling of self-blame that keeps on bringing me down everyday. What's worst is that no one around me knows about it and no one seems to care to know.

 

[joshposh]

There are different types of depression, and some are pervasive, while others are situational. I have a difficult time dealing with people who act as if I should take a pill to help my depression, without even understanding why I have depression. I often tell such people that if I wasn't depressed in my situation, I would be unusual. I do have times when I laugh, smile, and have a good time, but my living circumstances are depressing, and therefore I'm depressed. I'm doing all I can to improve my situation, but until that happens, I will be depressed.
I can deal with some of my circumstances, such as the constant pain and fatigue, and also the flares (periods when my medical conditions are suddenly worse), but my depression mainly stems from my inability to change the situation, and from the day to day existence of struggling just to make ends meet. I wouldn't advise someone living in an abusive or otherwise toxic situation to take a pill for their depression, and it irks me when others expect me to do that.

I think you have pretty much explained the situation with 90% of the people here. Everyone at some point has depression because of their current living situation. That is something you can work on. As hard or dire the situation can be, there is something that can remedy that. It usually has to do with not having enough move to lift you out. I'm guessing that's what it is. Time to search for a new job or look at internet home jobs that you can do.

 

[Alex]

No one can ever understand how another truly feels unless they are in their shoes, and while some of us may say the situation isn't that bad it maybe for that person. My own situation is hard mentally and physically, and I do struggle to cope and I can't let on how I feel. Rather than say I am depressed, I have depressive moments. While we can and do have the capacity to change the situation it can be frightening, but also other factors involved like finances, or maybe children.


We do have choices though, and we have to be strong enough to make them, and that isn't always possible. gracer I know what you mean about seeing friends happy and that's why I made the post on peer pressure, but I do try to think that's them and this is me. I see my situation as temporary (I returned to my parents to look after one of them that nearly died, and would feel guilty if I left before they have recovered) and while it's hard, I know it's the right thing to do because it's not something I can control or put off until later.


If we can't change our situation, we can alter how we perceive it to cope.

 

[gracer]

Those are such wonderful words you have there Alex. Almost the same as your situation right now, I decided to return home to my parent's house because I couldn't sleep at night thinking about how they were doing each and every day. I felt so guilty living from afar while they were alone by themselves at their very old ages and they were always getting sick. The consequence though is that I am now feeling so depressed about my current situation because I seem to be in such a lowly state right now. The fact that I even feel so unappreciated makes it even worse.

 

[tonitoni]

gracer, that's a beautiful thing you've done for your parents. I can definitely relate to the need to be there for them, coupled with the feeling of helplessness for not doing enough, and resentment over not receiving acknowledgment. It's a complicated relationship, isn't it? You feel depressed for doing the right thing, knowing that the solution will make you feel guilty. It's an untenable situation.