Reactive depression describes symptoms of depression that occur in response to an external problem or stressor. Also called situational depression, the symptoms of this condition can mimic those of major depressive disorder. Reactive depression is not a formal diagnosable condition, but it describes adverse psychological reactions people may have to difficult life circumstances.
Depression Is Treatable with Therapy
Find a compassionate and supportive therapist. BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Most people experience occasional symptoms of depression, but people with a diagnosable depressive disorder experience symptoms for at least two weeks on a near daily basis. Symptoms of depression include sad or bad mood, difficulty experiencing pleasure, low energy and motivation, and changes in sleep and appetite, and interfere with multiple aspects of daily living.
What Is Reactive Depression?
There are a range of “normal” responses to stressful situations, but reactive depression often describes emotional difficulties that exceed this range.1 In some cases, people with these symptoms are diagnosed with an adjustment disorder with depressed mood, which is a generalized condition used to define mental health symptoms believed to be stress-related.
In some cases, these symptoms will resolve as the situation improves, and in others, symptoms can persist, even progressing into a more chronic condition like major depressive disorder.
Causes of Reactive Depression
A prerequisite for reactive depression is the experience of stress resulting from external circumstances. Reactive depression can be caused by any number of stressful external events or situations, like losing a job, going through a tough breakup, or being diagnosed with a medical issue.
The circumstances and events that can cause reactive depression are not always negative. In some cases, even positive life changes and transitions can be stressful enough to cause a person to experience reactive depression. These might include changes like moving away for college, getting pregnant, or coming back home after a military deployment. While these positive changes bring excitement, they can also cause stress and conflicting feelings like fear, loss, and sadness.
It’s important to understand that all types of depression are believed to be caused by a combination of internal and external risk factors. It is possible that an adverse event or situation could trigger the onset of major depressive disorder in a person who was already at risk for the disorder because of genetic or biological factors.
Reactive Depression vs. Grief & Trauma
While adjustment disorders are diagnosed when symptoms occur in response to a wide range of adverse experiences, there are a few exceptions. When a person’s symptoms occur in response to the loss or death of a loved one, their symptoms may be diagnosed as persistent complex bereavement disorder, a separate condition used for prolonged and excessive grief.2
Certain traumatic events can cause symptoms that differ slightly from depression or adjustment disorders. Experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening incident or being the victim of sexual or physical assault are examples of traumatic experiences that may lead to a diagnosis of acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These conditions are characterized by the experience of unwanted memories, flashbacks or nightmares in addition to intense emotional distress.2
Signs & Symptoms of Reactive Depression
Signs of reactive depression are similar to the typical depression symptoms, including feeling sad or irritable, having changes in eating or sleeping patterns, or socially isolating in response to an adverse event or ongoing negative or stressful experience.
People all respond to stress and change differently, but common signs and symptoms of reactive depression include:
- Emotional changes like feeling sad, irritable, or moody
- Reduced energy, motivation, and interest in people and activities
- Changes in eating, sleeping, or other daily habits like hygiene or exercise routines
- Social isolation or withdrawing and shutting down with close friends or family
- Opting out of normal routines, responsibilities, or enjoyed activities
- Impaired performance at work, like being late on deadlines or making careless errors
- Changes in thinking like brain fog, rumination, or thinking pessimistically
- Hopelessness, wanting to give up, or having suicidal ideation
- Lifestyle changes like drinking or smoking more, or other unhealthy choices
- Physical aches or pains like headaches, GI upset, muscle pain
- Changes in appearance like rapid weight gain (i.e., depression & weight gain) or weight loss, looking overly tired, or not adhering to normal standards of grooming
When these symptoms are fleeting, intermittent, or mild, they are typically not cause for concern. When symptoms become more serious and interfere with a person’s routine or their ability to function, this can be an indication of reactive depression.1
Help for Depression
BetterHelp – Get help from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp offers convenient and affordable online therapy starting at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Free Assessment
Talkspace – Online Therapy With Or Without Insurance. Talkspace accepts many insurance plans including Optum, Cigna, and Aetna. Talkspace also accepts Medicare in some states. The average copay is $15, but many people pay $0. Get started
Getting a Diagnosis For Reactive Depression
Depressive symptoms that occur in response to an external cause are most often diagnosed as either major depressive disorder or as an adjustment disorder with depressed mood:
- MDD: major depressive disorder is often diagnosed when a person’s symptoms outlast the stressful situation or persist for several months and is characterized by periodic depressive episodes. It is considered a chronic condition and can cycle through active periods and times of remission. A stressful event could trigger depressive symptoms that were previously in remission, possibly even when these symptoms were gone for several years.
- Adjustment disorder: adjustment disorders are usually diagnosed when there is a clear external cause for the symptoms and when they are expected to resolve as the situation improves.2
Causes & Triggers of Reactive Depression
Any stressful event, situation, or circumstances that overwhelms a person’s current ability to cope can cause symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.
More common causes and triggers of reactive depression include:
- The conception, birth, miscarriage, or death of a child
- A change in relationship status or loss of an important relationship
- A job loss or being in a high-stress job
- Legal or financial stress
- A chronic health problem, new diagnosis, or depression after surgery
- A change in living situation or location
- New physical, cognitive, emotional, or social impairments
- A loss of independence or control
- New restrictions or limitations that impact normal routines
- A major life choice, decision, or pressure of an unsolvable problem
- Current events, tragedies, or traumatic events
Protective Factors That Make It Less Likely for Depression to Develop
Not all people who have these experiences will develop lasting symptoms of depression, but some will. The factors that help determine how a person copes with and overcomes a situation are often referred to as “protective factors” or “resiliency” factors. Protective factors include having strong supportive relationships, advanced problem-solving skills, adaptability, and an optimistic outlook.3
In addition to getting professional treatment and making positive changes to lifestyle, routine, and self-care, it’s also important to identify and address root causes of the depressive symptoms. Unlike major depressive disorder, reactive depression stems primarily from external causes. Sometimes the cause of the depression is obvious, but other times there can be more than one cause, or the cause might be ongoing.
Here are five questions to ask to narrow down root causes of reactive depression:
- What are the main sources of stress in your life?
- Are you experiencing conflict, strain, or doubt in an important relationship?
- Have your circumstances changed in ways that add more pressure or stress?
- Do you have certain unmet needs in one or more areas of life?
- Have you experienced a recent loss or difficult life transition?
Once the source of depressive symptoms has been identified, the next step is to begin working to make changes or improvements to this area of life, or to find solutions to the underlying problems. Often, the situations that cause reactive depression won’t have “quick fixes,” but actively working to improve or find solutions is usually possible and can have a direct effect on a person’s symptoms.
Depression Is Treatable with Therapy
Would you like to feel more happiness and joy? BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you.
Treatment of Reactive Depression
Since there is no formal diagnosis for reactive depression, people who seek help will be treated in the same way as someone dealing with other forms of depression, like major depressive disorder. The frontline treatment is therapy, but sometimes medication is recommended as well.
Common methods for how to treat depression include:
Therapy
Depression therapy might include individual, group, or couples counseling with a licensed mental health professional. Therapy works by helping people develop new coping skills for stress, anxiety, and depression.
CBT for depression and interpersonal therapy have the most documented success in treating depression, but other therapy modalities like acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are also used. These therapies all use different methods to help a person better understand, track, and respond more skillfully to their depressive symptoms.
In cases where the depression is in response to trauma, trauma-informed treatments like EMDR for depression, trauma-focused CBT, or cognitive processing therapy can also be effective in working through traumatic memories.
Problem solving therapy and solution-focused treatments can also support people in addressing root causes of reactive depression.4
Psychiatric Medication
Medication for depression like SSRIs or SNRIs which can be prescribed by a psychiatrist, doctor, or other prescriber. These medications work on specific receptors in the brain to increase levels of chemicals like serotonin and norepinephrine known to be involved in mood regulation. Medication is normally recommended in conjunction with counseling, instead of as a standalone treatment.4
Support Groups
Support groups are not considered a formal treatment for reactive depression but can be a helpful addition to other forms of treatment. Support groups are offered in most communities for a variety of issues like divorce, chronic pain, grief, or other common issues that can cause reactive depression.
These groups can be a great way to form connections with other people who have had similar experiences, receive and provide helpful tips, and to have an emotional outlet. If you can’t find a great fit in your community, online support groups can be incredibly helpful resources.
How to Get Help For Reactive Depression
If you or a loved one is struggling with symptoms of reactive depression, there are many resources that can help. Often, setting up an appointment with a counselor is a good first step to take to get help for depressive symptoms. Those with health insurance for mental health can go through their insurance company to find a list of therapists near them who participate in their insurance network.
Sometimes, a primary care doctor can also be helpful in getting a prescription or a referral for a recommended prescriber. A therapist directory is also a good place to choose a therapist since you can search for someone with the exact specialty you’re looking for.
Those who are struggling with specific issues may also benefit from finding local or online support groups specific to these issues. Hospice is a great resource for bereavement and grief support groups, and local churches often host support groups for issues like divorce, infertility or miscarriage.
There are also countless options online for virtual recovery meetings, support groups, and forums on almost any issue or root cause of reactive depression.
Finding Help For a Loved One
The best thing to do to help a loved one dealing with depression is to encourage them to get professional help. While it can be uncomfortable knowing what to say to someone who is depressed because of stigma or fear of upsetting the person, not saying anything makes it more likely that their symptoms will worsen. The best way to approach this uncomfortable conversation is from a place of care and concern, and to ask about how you can help support them through this difficult time.
Living & Coping With Reactive Depression
In addition to getting professional treatment, there are also some lifestyle changes and ways to cope with situational depression. Many people who become depressed feel less interested and motivated to do things, causing them to isolate themselves, opt out of activities they usually enjoy, and even stop doing the things they need to do.
While it can feel counterintuitive, the best thing to do in these situations is usually to push yourself to follow your normal routine and to do the things you normally enjoy. However, don’t smile through depression (i.e., smiling depression) or hide it from loved ones. Having people in your life who can encourage you to stay active can make a huge difference.
Ways to reduce depressive symptoms include:5
- Social interactions can help improve mood, reduce stress, and reduce depression
- Physical exercise boosts brain chemicals that help balance mood and improve energy
- Mindfulness and meditation for depression help to manage stress and its negative impacts
- Take advantage of the benefits of nature on mental health (e.g., decreases stress, improves mood, and boost energy
- Yoga can be helpful in improving physical and mental wellbeing
- Setting and working towards goals can help to feel more hopeful about the future
- Setting boundaries with people and improving work/life balance can be instrumental in reducing stress
- Finding positive emotional outlets like journaling, art, talking with others
- Being consistent with sleep schedule and ensuring you get 7-8 hours per night
- Practicing self-compassion by stopping negative self-talk and self-care and staying attuned to needs
Final Thoughts on Reactive Depression
Dealing with any type of depression on your own can be incredibly challenging and isolating. Don’t be afraid to reach out to trusted loved ones to help you find the treatment that can alleviate your symptoms.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
Talk Therapy
Online-Therapy.com – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. Online-Therapy.com provides 45 minute weekly video sessions and unlimited text messaging with your therapist for only $64/week. Get Started
Ketamine Therapy for Depression
Better U – offers personalized ketamine therapy with 1-on-1 coaching, all from the comfort of your own home. Address the root cause of depression and live a more fulfilling life. Start Your Free Assessment
Online Psychiatry
Hims / Hers If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Connect with a licensed healthcare provider in just 12 – 48 hours. Explore FDA-approved treatment options and get free shipping, if prescribed. No insurance required. Get Started
Depression Newsletter
A free newsletter from Choosing Therapy for those impacted by depression. Get helpful tips and the latest information. Sign Up
Learn Anti-Stress & Relaxation Techniques
Mindfulness.com – Change your life by practicing mindfulness. In a few minutes a day, you can start developing mindfulness and meditation skills. Free Trial
Choosing Therapy Directory
You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.
For Further Reading
- Those wanting more information on stress and how to counteract the negative effects of it can learn more on the APA’s Website
- Those wanting more information on depression, anxiety, and ways to cope and find treatment can find more information and resources on the ADAA’s website
Online Depression Test
A few questions from Talkiatry can help you understand your symptoms and give you a recommendation for what to do next.
Best Online Therapy for Depression
Depression is a very common mental health concern. To find the best online therapy for depression, we spent hundreds of hours personally using and researching over 50 platforms. Our resulting list offers options with easy access to appointments, affordable pricing, coverage for major insurance plans, and some of the best therapist availability in the industry. Read on to see our top picks for the best online therapy for depression.
Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.