@Birdofparadise8 okay, situational simply means that situations that you have been in have caused you to be depressed, and have caused your symptoms. It doesn't mean you only get depressed when the situation is bad. I didn't explain that very well did I?!

The only difference between clinical and situational is the reason behind your depression honey. You are living with depression and a severe case at that. You mentioned that you usually feel depressed around this time. For me I used to get depressed on Sunday evening when I was at my last job because I knew I had to got back to the shit hole the next day. There may be a reason you feel so miserable but you haven't uncovered the reason yet. 

Knowing you are depressed doesn't heal us. Like any illness, it takes time to get better. And as you probably know depression is one illness that you will live with for probably the rest of your life.

Being old enough to be your mum (lol!) I have the advantage of age, having gone through the trials of different medications, hospital visits, psychs and doctors etc so I can tell you it does get better. It doesn't feel like it for you right now but you will learn how to cope, what triggers you and what to avoid. 

"That which does not k*ll us makes us stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche