Relocation Depression: What You Should Know

Moving can feel like a fresh start, but it often brings an unexpected emotional weight. Relocation depression can be triggered by a big move and is marked by sadness, loneliness, and anxiety. This is a common response to major life changes, and can be difficult to deal with while you’re getting settled in a new place. The good news is, you don’t have to stay stuck in this rut forever! With the right tools and support, you can ease the transition and start feeling at home again.

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What is Relocation Depression?

While relocation depression shares symptoms with clinical depression, the two are not the same. Recognizing the difference is important. Doing so can help you better understand and manage your emotional response and determine whether professional support may be needed.

Defining Clinical Depression

According to the American Psychiatric Association, the clinical definition of depression is “a negative affective state, ranging from unhappiness and discontent to an extreme feeling of sadness, pessimism, and despondency, that interferes with daily life.”

Symptoms of depression include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of irritability, frustration‚ or restlessness
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
• Fatigue, lack of energy, or feeling slowed down
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Thoughts of death 

Relocation Depression Vs. Depression

Many symptoms of relocation depression overlap with general depression, such as sadness, fatigue, or a sense of disconnection. If you’ve recently moved, it’s normal to feel a sense of loss or temporary emotional turbulence. Getting your affairs in order for your move, whether you’re moving with children, elderly family members, pets, or even moving out of state, can be a stressful process. But if these feelings persist for more than two weeks, you may be experiencing relocation depression. Relocation depression, sometimes called “moving depression,” is a situational form often viewed as a subtype under the broader depression umbrella.

For some, post-moving depression can come as a shock, especially if they’ve never dealt with prolonged sadness or disorientation before. Major life changes like moving can trigger depressive episodes, particularly in individuals with a genetic predisposition to depression.

It’s important to understand that these emotional responses aren’t personal failures. Many people are unaware of their vulnerability until a major change brings it to the surface. With the right support, including guidance from a licensed therapist, it’s possible to manage these emotions and adjust to your new environment.

What Causes Relocation Depression?

Relocation depression doesn’t stem from a single source. Often, it’s triggered by a mix of emotional, social, and environmental factors. Understanding what’s causing these feelings can help you navigate them more effectively. Below are some of the most common contributors to relocation-related depression:

Missing Friends and Family

Leaving behind friends and family is one of the hardest parts of moving to a new place. The loss of your support system and the relationships you’ve built can lead to feelings of sadness and loneliness. To help with this, make an effort to stay in touch with the people you’ve left behind through phone calls, video chats, and messaging. Also, work on building a new support system by getting out and meeting new people with similar interests and joining local social groups. If you’re moving alone, this can seem overwhelming, but your new environment is sure to have plenty to explore! Check out platforms like NextDoor, EventBrite, and local Facebook groups for chances to connect with your new community.

Unfamiliar Surroundings

Moving into a new house can cause depression, especially since everything might feel foreign. Unfamiliar surroundings can be disorienting and anxiety-inducing. Not knowing your way around or where to find the places or resources you need can contribute to relocation depression. The key is to explore your new surroundings and get to know the area. Go for walks or drives to learn the layout of your neighborhood. Check out nearby points of interest like restaurants, shops, parks, and public transit. The more you learn about your new location, the more comfortable and at home you will feel.

Life Changes and Uncertainty

A move often brings many life changes that can be stressful and lead to feelings of uncertainty. Things like finding a new job or school, financial changes, and learning your way around a new home can pile up and feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that it’s normal to feel stressed and to give yourself time to adjust to all the changes. Try to maintain a routine, connect with others, engage in self-care, and be flexible as you settle into your new surroundings. With time, the uncertainty will fade, and you’ll establish your new normal.

While we tend to associate stressors with negative changes in our lives, any change, positive or negative, can lead to stress and heighten your risk for depression. Even if you are excited about your relocation or living in a new location, the energy of adapting to a new place wears on you in ways that could lead to mental health challenges.
-BetterHelp

How Long Does Relocation Depression Last?

Relocation depression doesn’t have a fixed timeline and varies from person to person. For some, the emotional fog lifts within a few weeks; for others, it may take several months to adjust. Understanding what influences the duration can help you set realistic expectations and be more patient with yourself during the transition.

Situational Depression

It’s hard to put a timeline on when your feelings of depression might end, if they “end” at all. For some, healing is just a matter of accepting change and learning a few coping skills to help them through the transition of moving. If your sadness and loneliness are more temporary than long-lasting, then your depression may only be situational. The more time you spend in a new location, the less your symptoms of relocation depression will last. Most clinicians say situational depression lasts anywhere between three and six months. By learning coping skills, you may be able to speed up the process of getting settled in after moving into a new house, which can cause depression, or ease some of the stress. 

With situational depression, these symptoms usually improve within 6 months after the stressor has gone away. If they persist past 6 months and occur every day for most of the day, you may receive a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), commonly known as clinical depression.

-Healthline

Clinical Depression

For others, relocation depression symptoms may stick around for months. This is especially true for those who are greatly affected by the change, have had depressive episodes in the past, or have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or another mental health condition. For these individuals, moving may have been the spark that illuminated a larger concern. This doesn’t mean that the difficult feelings will never go away, but it may mean that the symptoms last longer as you explore treatment options. Regardless of the length or severity of your depression, there are numerous options for treatment. Receiving a diagnosis can also be a very positive experience that sets you on the path to happiness.

Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
-Mayo Clinic

Conclusion

Relocation depression, often caused by moving into a new house, is very common, but there are many effective strategies to help you overcome it. Focus on staying connected with friends and family, getting to know your new area, giving yourself time to adjust to life changes, and practicing self-care. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a counselor or support group if needed. 

If your moving journey has not yet started, and you’re anxious that you may struggle with relocation depression, hiring professional movers can also alleviate some stress. Similarly, if you have a friend or family member who’s currently battling depression after moving, consider offering unpacking help or researching some places that could make them feel at home. Moving can involve a rollercoaster of emotions, so a little extra support can go a long way.

No matter where you are in your journey, with patience and effort, you can work through relocation depression and learn to thrive in your new home.

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