When it comes to depression, there are many different forms of this mental struggle, and as the old saying goes, “No matter where you go, your problems follow” exemplifies what Relocation Depression might look like for you. When making the decision to move, a lot more people than you think expect a different outcome when changing environments.
While your environment contributes to your daily life, that usually isn’t the only struggle or thing you may be running from. But by far, most of the time, the decision to move isn’t in the hands of the one who is struggling. Most of the time, relocation depression occurs in childhood when parents make the decision to move, and the child has to leave behind their school or only home they’ve known.
WebMD actually has information that tells us, “Research suggests that moving during childhood can increase the risk of developing depression later in life,” meaning not only does this affect the child when they move, but also later in life.
When looking at depression this disorder is detrimental to daily life and looks different for everyone. This means your child, loved one, or friends could be struggling without you even knowing. This is why it’s essential to have the uncomfortable conversations and check in on the people you love, even if you may think they aren’t struggling.
In the case of relocation depression, the main symptoms can last up to, but not limited to, six months.
Moving childhood depression
When talking about relocation depression, some of the main individuals affected are the kids in the family. Depression in children often looks different from how it presents in adults, and it can be easy to overlook. Rather than appearing sad or withdrawn, a depressed kid may show increased irritability, anger, or mood swings. They might experience frequent outbursts and frustration or seem more tearful than usual.
Some more signs a child is struggling with depression can include a loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed, trouble focusing, or noticeable drops in academic performance. Many children with depression also struggle with sleep issues, such as insomnia or oversleeping, and changes in appetite.
Physically, depression in children can be seen as complaints of headaches or stomach aches without a clear medical cause. Socially, a depressed child may withdraw from friends or family or appear unusually clingy. They might express feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or a lack of hope for the future, which is particularly concerning in young minds.
Behavioral changes, such as suddenly becoming reckless or engaging in riskier behaviors, can also be a warning sign. Because children don’t always have the words to describe what they’re feeling, they may express their struggles indirectly.
Unfortunately, these signs are sometimes mistaken for misbehavior or defiance rather than seen as cries for help. Depression in children is complicated by the fact that their self-esteem and understanding of emotions are still developing. So, early intervention and a supportive, understanding environment are crucial. Recognizing these severe yet subtle symptoms is vital to providing help and support.
Running away from grief
Moving to the other end of relocation depression, what this looks like for adults and how it can be even more damaging to uproot and move.
In my personal life, I have seen what relocation depression looks like in adults who are close to me: my Grandmother. In 2021, my late Grandpa Lucky passed, and as a result, it sent my Grandmother, who was already struggling with her mental health, into a spiral. During the COVID quarantine, she didn’t leave the house much out of fear for her health and didn’t have the need to since my Grandpa was there to run any errands or tasks outside the home; when he passed, that all changed.
Shortly after his passing, my Grandma decided to list her home for sale and relocate because it was too difficult for her to stay in the home they lived in together. While most sources and people will tell you not to make any significant changes in the first year of a death, she not only decided to move from her home but also across the country. My Grandmother condensed her entire life into a storage unit, sold her cars, the house, and furniture, packed her life into boxes and suitcases, and was off. Whether she realized it while she was doing it, it was apparent she was trying to run away from her grief.
So, she had moved from the state all her family and life had been in, Michigan, and decided to move in with her daughter in the mountains of Colorado. Rewinding the tape, when my Grandma would come over weekly to see me and my brother, her only two grandchildren, it was no longer going to happen, and it broke my heart.
On Facetime, in the first month or so, my Grandma seemed happy and to be enjoying her change of scenery, but that quickly changed. Soon after the second or third month there, despite moving away and even living with her daughter, my Grandma’s grief, depression, and problems eventually caught up to her even over a thousand miles away.
Thankfully, in her case, she chose to move back to Michigan and start to have a grasp on her grief and begin to make her way through her emotions.
How long does relocation depression last?
It’s essential, no matter what type of depression it is, to speak about it and make sure awareness is brought to the subject. But the depression side effects stemming from relocation being less spoken about is unacceptable. This is why it’s important to try to move as little as possible when your child is in their formative years and to check in on family members and loved ones who are considering moving because of problems or emotions happening right now. Every emotion is fleeting, with a new one moving in to take its place, so sit down and hold off moving to your new place until you’re sure it’s the right decision.