Reactive Depression: What It Is, Symptoms, and Treatment in Madrid

A breakup, a loss, a layoff, a serious illness. Sometimes life hits us with something we didn't expect, and the emotional impact overwhelms us. What begins as an understandable reaction drags on and intensifies until it becomes something we can no longer handle on our own. The reactive depression, is the way to depression that occurs as a direct response to an identifiable stressor. Unlike the major depression, here the cause is clear. And that, paradoxically, can be a therapeutic advantage. At MadridPsicoterapia, with an office in Chamberí and online sessions, we help you process the experience and regain your emotional balance.

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Depression reactive

What is reactive depression, and how is it diagnosed?

The reactive depression It falls under the category of adjustment disorders, specifically as a brief depressive reaction or a prolonged depressive reaction. It is defined by the the onset of emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable psychosocial stressor, which occur in the three months following the stressor and indicate a higher level of distress than would be expected given the context.

The most common stressors that trigger a reactive depression include: the loss of a loved one (complicated grief), a breakup, job loss, a diagnosis of a serious illness, financial problems, accidents, or intense relationship conflicts. Symptoms include a depressed mood, crying, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and, in some cases, thoughts of death without active suicidal ideation.

The key difference from the major depression lies in the causal relationship with the stressor and in the affective resonance: in the reactive depression, the person may experience some temporary improvement in response to positive stimuli, something that does not occur in the major depression. However, if the condition persists or worsens, it may progress to a depressive episode greater, so early intervention is essential.

The depression Reactive stress disorder typically responds very well to psychotherapy, precisely because it has such a clear psychosocial component. At MadridPsicoterapia, located at 141 Santa Engracia Street (Chamberí, Madrid), therapeutic work focuses on processing the stressor, working through grief or loss, and rebuilding personal coping resources.

Symptoms

Types

Treatment

When to Ask for Help

Depression in Adolescents

Depression Test

You know exactly what you're paying from day one

How much do the sessions cost?

€ 55

Price per session

Comprehensive Evaluation
Weekly sessions*
Online and In-Person Services **

€220

€ 199

Monthly

Comprehensive Evaluation
Weekly sessions*
20% discount**

Popular

Why Choose Us

Why Choose MadridPsicoterapia?

✓

Licensed and Specialized Psychologists

Our Team consists of licensed health psychologists at the COP in Madrid, with specialized training and proven experience in treating depressive disorders. We work with professional rigor and stay up to date with the latest scientific developments to provide you with the best possible care.

✓

Evidence-Based Therapies

We use a variety of approaches, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, ACT, exposure and emotional regulation techniques, and third-generation therapies, among others, because we believe you deserve treatment for depression that has proven its effectiveness in rigorous clinical research—not fads or empty promises.

✓

Personalized Treatment Plan

We don't follow rigid protocols. After a detailed initial evaluation, we design a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation, your goals, and your schedule. Because we understand that everyone experiences the depression in a unique way, and the approach must respect that uniqueness

✓

Central location in Chamberí

Our office is located at 141 Santa Engracia Street, in the Chamberí neighborhood, with excellent Metro and bus connections. We also offer treatment for depression in Chamberí, both in person and online for those who prefer the convenience of joining from home.

✓

Compassionate and non-judgmental support

We know that taking the step to ask for help isn’t always easy. That’s why at MadridPsicoterapia you’ll find a warm, confidential, and judgment-free space where you are our top priority. We’re committed to supporting you with honesty, empathy, and absolute respect for your journey.

Prices with no surprises and no pressure

Making decisions is also part of the process.

We offer you an initial session—either online or in person—so we can get to know each other.

From there, you should only continue if you feel you've established a connection with the professional you've met. The rest of the process is flexible, tWe explain how it works and the terms and conditions starting with the first session. No monthly fees, no long-term commitments, and fixed prices per session.

Individual Therapy

55 €

Couples Therapy

65 €

Individual Therapy

55 €

Therapy for couples

65 €

It's not how many, it's how

People who started individual therapy with us in Madrid

Juana, Carlos, Rocío, Almudena… We don't like to talk about numbers. We help real people with real names in real-life situations. It could be your neighbor, a friend, a mother, a coworker, your child… every name holds a different story. And every story deserves to be truly heard.

I came because my wife asked me to. I thought there was nothing wrong with me, but I was impossible to be around. Here, I've been able to talk about things I'd never talked about with anyone before. I've come to understand where all that anger was coming from. Things at home have improved a lot.

I started this after my partner suddenly broke up with me. The first few months were awful. Here, I've been able to let go of all that pain without feeling like I was burdening anyone. I've also worked on patterns I kept repeating in my relationships. It's helped me a lot.

I lost my mother years ago, and I was still having a really hard time. Here, I've learned that grief takes its own time. I still miss her every day, but it's different now.

I was on sick leave due to stress, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems… The usual stuff. Here, I’ve been working on setting boundaries at work. It’s not like I’m a completely different person now, but at least I’ve learned to say no every once in a while. To be honest, it’s still incredibly hard for me.

My kids and I were in a terrible place after the divorce. All we did was argue. I've worked on improving our communication, and well, now at least we can talk without ending up yelling at each other.

I started online therapy because my work schedule made it impossible to attend in-person sessions. At first, I thought it wouldn't be the same, but it's worked out really well for me—I do it from home after I get back from work, when everyone else is asleep.

My job requires me to travel constantly, and online therapy has been the only way I've been able to stay in therapy. It doesn't matter if I'm in Madrid, Barcelona, or anywhere else. I just log in, and that's it.

I felt trapped in a life that wasn't my own. I was doing what was expected of me, not what I wanted to do. I've been working on connecting with what I truly want. I'm making some major changes.

After becoming a mother, I felt invisible. I was just “the mother of.” I’ve worked on my identity beyond motherhood and have reclaimed parts of myself that I had lost.

I live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Online therapy has allowed me to find a professional outside of town without anyone seeing me go in or out of anywhere. I've worked through some very personal issues that I would never have talked about here. I highly recommend it.

I started online during the lockdown and just stuck with it. I like being able to do it from home, without wasting time commuting. I've been working on my social anxiety, and starting online actually took that pressure off me.

Online therapy seemed a little strange to me at first, but with my shift work, it was impossible to fit in in-person appointments. Being able to log in at 10 p.m. after work has been key. If it had been in person, I would have quit right away.

I used to have uncontrollable outbursts of anger. I'd fly off the handle over the slightest thing and say terrible things. I'd lost friends because of this. I've worked on identifying what triggers me. My relationships have improved a lot.

I tried online therapy because I was too embarrassed to go to an in-person session. I know it sounds silly, but that's just how it is. From my room, where no one can see me, I've found it easier to open up. So far, this is working for me, and I feel comfortable this way.

I've been doing online therapy ever since I moved abroad. I wanted to continue seeing my longtime therapist, and this has made that possible. We've been doing this for two years now. The screen can sometimes be a barrier, but being able to maintain that therapeutic connection despite the distance is priceless.

I have two young children, and getting out of the house is a nightmare. Online therapy has been a lifesaver. While they’re napping, I log on. No commuting, no having to find someone to watch the kids. It’s been the only way I’ve been able to take care of myself, too.

My father has Alzheimer's, and I take care of everything. I was completely overwhelmed, juggling my own life and taking care of him. Here, I've been able to let off some steam without feeling guilty for being tired. I've learned to ask for help. It was either that or end up completely worn out myself.

My partner and I hadn't had sex in over a year. We were too embarrassed to even talk about it. Working on this here has helped us communicate better in general. We've regained that connection.

Online therapy made me a little nervous at first. I thought it would be weird to talk about my personal stuff in front of a screen. But it’s actually even more comfortable. I’m in my safe space, on my couch, with my blanket.

After I was dumped, I felt terrible. A friend recommended that I come here. It helped me a lot during the first few months—I could cry and let it all out. Then I stopped coming because I was feeling better. A few months later, I started feeling bad again, so I came back.

I was diagnosed with a chronic illness and it really got me down. I've been in therapy for six months. Some days I leave the session thinking, "That was great—really helpful." Other days I leave thinking, "Why am I even coming here if this isn't going to cure me?" But I'm grateful to the team.

We went to couples therapy. After four months, we broke up anyway. I don't know if it helped at all or if it just delayed the inevitable. But hey, at least we broke up without killing each other—that's something, at least.

Total apathy. A friend told me to come. I've been coming for three months. I don't know if I've noticed any changes. I still wake up without any motivation. But hey, at least for one hour a week I'm doing something other than lying on the couch. My psychologist says that just coming here is already a step forward.

Some very dark thoughts brought me here two years ago. I've improved a lot—I won't deny it. My psychologist explained to me that it's not like that, that there can be relapses. It bothered me to hear that, to be honest. But anyway, I'm still working on it.

I've been dealing with depression for two years. I've tried medication, gone to therapy, exercised—I've tried everything. There are times when I feel better, and other times when I slip back into it. I'm grateful that I've been able to stick it out, and I recommend reaching out for help.

I worry about everything: work, anxiety—which causes me horrible physical symptoms. Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating. I’ve gone to the emergency room about five times thinking I was dying. It’s always anxiety. I’m doing online therapy because I’m terrified of leaving the house.

I've tried everything—yoga, meditation, pills. Nothing works for me. I've been doing online therapy for six months now. The other day, I had a panic attack during the session. I felt ridiculous. My therapist told me it was okay, that it was a good time to work through it.

I have a really hard time socializing with people. Just the thought of meeting up with friends makes me anxious days in advance. I started therapy a year ago. I've improved in some ways: I can go shopping without feeling so bad, and I can talk on the phone.

My anxiety started a couple of years ago. At first, I thought it was just work-related stress. I started online therapy because, with my schedule, it's impossible to go to in-person sessions. Sometimes it helps me to log in from home; other times, having the computer in front of me distracts me.

I felt constantly overwhelmed by work, by life, by everything. I couldn't stop mulling things over. A friend recommended online therapy to me. At first I was skeptical; I thought talking through a screen wouldn't do any good.

I have pretty severe social anxiety. Online therapy was perfect for me because being able to start without having to physically go anywhere took a lot of the pressure off. I've improved quite a bit in some areas—thank you!

I was diagnosed with depression a year ago. The first thing I thought was, “But I’m not sad all the time.” I started online therapy because I didn’t even have the energy to leave the house. It’s been seven months, and I’m starting to notice some changes.

Depression caught me by surprise. I had always been an active, energetic person. Suddenly, I found myself not wanting to do any of the things I used to enjoy. Going to the gym, hanging out with friends—everything felt like too much trouble. I felt empty.

I started online therapy six months ago because, honestly, I didn't have the energy to leave the house. Progress has been slow. Some weeks I feel a little better; other weeks I'm back to square one. But I'm learning that depression isn't something you can just snap out of.

I've been dealing with depression for about two years. The hardest part is that it's invisible—people look at me and think I'm fine. But inside, I feel empty most of the time. Getting through the day feels like climbing a mountain. I started online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Reactive Depression

We know that many questions may arise before starting therapy. Here, we answer the most common questions we receive from people who contact our clinic.

How long does it take for someone with reactive depression to recover?

The duration of reactive depression varies depending on the intensity of the stressor, the individual’s personal resources, and whether they receive treatment. A brief depressive reaction (F43.20) lasts no more than one month. A prolonged depressive reaction (F43.21) can last up to two years. With psychotherapy, most people with reactive depression experience significant improvement within a few weeks or months. Therapy helps speed up the adjustment process, work through grief or loss, and prevent the condition from progressing to major depression. The key is not to wait for it to get better on its own.

Does reactive depression require medication?

In most cases, reactive depression responds well to psychotherapy without the need for medication. In fact, several studies show that psychotherapy can be as effective as—or even more effective than—antidepressants in treating adjustment disorders, precisely because the psychosocial component is central. However, if symptoms are very severe, if there is severe insomnia, or if the person is unable to function even minimally in daily life, the doctor may consider the temporary use of medication (antidepressants or anxiolytics) as a supplement during the most acute phase, always in combination with psychotherapy.

How does reactive depression differ from normal grief?

Grief is a normal and healthy response to the loss of a loved one, and is not in itself a disorder. The difference from reactive depression lies in the intensity, duration, and functional impact. In normal grief, the pain comes in waves; the person may experience moments of relief and gradually comes to terms with the loss. In reactive depression or complicated grief, the pain is persistent and debilitating; there is marked functional impairment, intense feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and the coping process comes to a halt. If the grieving process does not progress after several months, it is advisable to consult a psychologist.

Can children have reactive depression?

Yes. Children and adolescents can also develop adjustment disorders with depressed mood in response to stressors such as their parents’ divorce, changing schools, bullying, the loss of a loved one, or family conflicts. In children, symptoms may manifest in different ways: increased irritability, behavioral problems, developmental regression, somatization (headaches, stomachaches), or declining academic performance. Early psychological intervention in children with reactive depression is especially important to prevent long-term effects on their emotional development.

Can I get over reactive depression without seeing a psychologist?

Some people overcome a mild depressive episode with the support of their social network, the passage of time, and self-care strategies. However, when symptoms are moderate or persist for more than a month, psychological intervention significantly speeds up recovery and reduces the risk of the condition becoming chronic or progressing to major depression. In addition, therapy provides tools that go beyond simply overcoming the current episode: they build resilience and the ability to cope with future adversities. If you have any doubts, an initial assessment consultation is non-binding and can provide you with valuable guidance.

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