Beginners in cryptic riddles are temporarily experiencing real and serious depression? (6)
I believe the answer is:
crater
'serious depression?' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'beginners in cryptic riddles are temporarily experiencing real' is the wordplay.
'beginners in' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'cryptic riddles are temporarily experiencing real' is 'CRATER'.
'and' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for crater that I've seen before include "Fissure in the earth's crust" , "Bomb-hole" , "Volcanic depression" , "Hole (on the moon?)" , "Capital of Virginia" .)