Psychogenic Depression

Three types of depression are summarized here under psychogenic depression: Reactive depression (outdated term), neurotic depression (outdated term) and exhaustion depression. What all three forms of depression have in common is that they are triggered by a specific emotional event, such as traumatic experiences. Examples are divorce, death of a close relative, loss of employment, accident or violence.

In the classification of mental illnesses, the term psychogenic depression is most likely to be found under the collective term of reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders. It is not depression in the narrower sense. This will be discussed in more detail in the next paragraph.

Reactive Depression

Reactive depression is one of the psychogenic depressions. However, both terms are no longer relevant. Reactive depression refers to the development of depressive symptoms in response to an emotionally stressful event.

Nowadays, this type of mental disorder is found under the section Reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders. The following disorders can be found in this section: The acute stress reaction, the post-traumatic stress disorder and the adaptation disorder. The acute stress reaction occurs rapidly after a severe mental or physical stress.

It subsides within a few days. Affected persons describe the feeling of standing next to themselves, the ability to concentrate is clearly limited, and restlessness with sweating, anxiety and palpitations can occur. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after an event of catastrophic proportions.

As a rule, it does not begin immediately after the event but weeks or months later. Those affected experience the trauma again and again in so-called flashbacks; nightmares, the feeling of emotional numbness, apathy, joylessness, fright, sleep disorders and anxiety occur. Suicidal thoughts often occur.

PTSD is usually not chronic, but can last for many months. The adaptation disorder occurs after stressful life events or changes in living conditions. Examples are separation or bereavement.

Depressive mood, anxiety, worry and overburdening experience in everyday life occur. The symptoms usually disappear within half a year. In the case of adjustment disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder, the use of drug psychotherapeutic therapy can be necessary and helpful.