 [ Symptoms ] what is the difference between situational depression and depression that is not situational [ Disease ] depression is depression defined by a series of symptoms that involve changes in sleep energy concentration appetite etc one does not need to have a reason to develop a depression though if there is a particular event that may have precipitated it e g a loss a separation that may be relevant to the psychotherapy and understanding one is vulnerabilities to depression not everybody who has a loss or stressful event occur develops a depression so the thinking is that someone either is or is not biologically vulnerable to developing depression depression is different from normal grief or sadness grief or sadness related to an event does not involve disruptions of sleep and appetite or thoughts of suicide in fact normal grief can become complicated by a depression which in turn can interfere with the resolution of the grief so in other words depression is a syndrome involving many components and whatever causes it we do not really know it should get treated when the syndrome involves strong physical symptoms sleep energy concentration not functioning thoughts of suicide medicines are especially likely to be helpful