How is Reactive Depression diagnosed?
Reactive depression is diagnosed on the basis of depressive symptoms related to a troubling life event or situation. It is important to uncover the psychosocial stressors that underlie the reactive depression. It is also appropriate to delineate the timeline of symptoms in relation to an inciting event. Next, a psychologist or psychiatrist should inquire as to how the depressive episodes have interfered with the Clients everyday living, including negative effects on family, friends, work or school. Any history of drug or alcohol abuse or self-medication should be explored. When a person with reactive depression turns to substance abuse or self-medication, treatment becomes more complicated.
