Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible StagesEpisodes of DepressionTypes of DepressionTreatmentGetting Help

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Possible Stages

Episodes of Depression

Types of Depression

Treatment

Getting Help

Depression is a serious mental health condition with variable symptoms. Some people describe its progress in stages. However, there is no research to support depression in stages.

This article will discussdepressionand how some people have tried to develop stages of depression. It will also cover depression treatment and how to find help for someone experiencing depression symptoms.

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A person sitting on the floor of a kitchen, with hand over eyes, looking sad

Stages of Progressive Depression

A 2017 essay suggests that depression should be broken up into stages. The author argues that fitting all depression diagnoses in a one-size-fits-all category leads to unneeded or inappropriate treatment of certain individuals.The author suggests these three stages of depression:

Depression can be experienced in different ways for different people. A healthcare provider specializing in mental health can help identifysymptoms of depression, determine a diagnosis, and provide treatment specific to each person’s needs.

Similarities to Stages of Grief

Depression is sometimes described as having stages, which is likely due to depression as a part of the stages ofgrief.

The psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross developed the stages ofgrief, a theory that someone who has experienced the loss of a loved one will move through five distinct stages as they grieve. They may not go through the stages in a particular order, and they may return to various stages.

Anepisode of depressionis when a person experiences the symptoms of depression like feeling sad, irritable, and loss of interest. Episodes of depression typically last five to seven months and can be categorized as one of the three patterns described below:

Depressive episodes develop through a combination of psychological, biological, and social elements. Life events, like the loss of a loved one, can be a trigger that initiates the depressive episode.

While it may not be possible to avoid all episodes of depression, seeking help from a healthcare provider can deliver a diagnosis. With a diagnosis in hand, a healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan and coping strategies to help reduce the symptoms and in some cases shorten the duration of the depressive episode.

Different Types of Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that changes how a person thinks, feels, and handles everyday activities. Depression is classified as different types. However, there are no stages. The differenttypes of depressioninclude:

Depression StatisticsDepression affects approximately 5% of adults worldwide.

Depression Statistics

Depression affects approximately 5% of adults worldwide.

Treatment for Depression

Depression is typically treated with either medication or psychotherapy, or both. Each person will respond differently to treatment, so it may take time to find the right treatment. The modes of therapy include:

Professional Support and Additional Resources

If someone suspects they or someone they know has depression, they should seek professional support from ahealthcare provider.

This could mean contacting a primary healthcare provider, psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker. These professionals will be able to diagnose depression or help find the right person to provide treatment.

Reach out to healthcare providers andsocial workersfor information about local resources and support groups.

Getting HelpIf you think you may be in a position to harm yourself or someone else, call911or your local emergency number ASAP. Several treatment resources and support groups can be sought through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Hotline at1-800-662-HELP (4357).If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

If you think you may be in a position to harm yourself or someone else, call911or your local emergency number ASAP. Several treatment resources and support groups can be sought through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Hotline at1-800-662-HELP (4357).If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

If you think you may be in a position to harm yourself or someone else, call911or your local emergency number ASAP. Several treatment resources and support groups can be sought through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Hotline at1-800-662-HELP (4357).

If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.

Summary

Depression is a mental health condition that causes feelings of helplessness, sadness, and loss. It can develop in anyone at any time. While there are no stages of depression, there are various types of depression.

Several treatment options are available, including medication and therapy. Contact a healthcare provider if you are feeling symptoms of depression to get the right help fast.

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Makowski AC, Schomerus G, von dem Knesebeck O.Public continuum beliefs for different levels of depression severity.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:666489. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.666489Patel V.Talking sensibly about depression.PLoS Med. 2017;14(4):e1002257. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002257Tyrrell P, Harberger S, Schoo C, Siddiqui W.Kubler-ross stages of dying and subsequent models of grief. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Kovacs M, Obrosky S, George C.The course of major depressive disorder from childhood to young adulthood: Recovery and recurrence in a longitudinal observational study.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016;203:374-381. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.042World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).John Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Makowski AC, Schomerus G, von dem Knesebeck O.Public continuum beliefs for different levels of depression severity.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:666489. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.666489Patel V.Talking sensibly about depression.PLoS Med. 2017;14(4):e1002257. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002257Tyrrell P, Harberger S, Schoo C, Siddiqui W.Kubler-ross stages of dying and subsequent models of grief. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Kovacs M, Obrosky S, George C.The course of major depressive disorder from childhood to young adulthood: Recovery and recurrence in a longitudinal observational study.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016;203:374-381. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.042World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).John Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Makowski AC, Schomerus G, von dem Knesebeck O.Public continuum beliefs for different levels of depression severity.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:666489. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.666489Patel V.Talking sensibly about depression.PLoS Med. 2017;14(4):e1002257. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002257Tyrrell P, Harberger S, Schoo C, Siddiqui W.Kubler-ross stages of dying and subsequent models of grief. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.Kovacs M, Obrosky S, George C.The course of major depressive disorder from childhood to young adulthood: Recovery and recurrence in a longitudinal observational study.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016;203:374-381. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.042World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).John Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

Makowski AC, Schomerus G, von dem Knesebeck O.Public continuum beliefs for different levels of depression severity.Front Psychiatry. 2021;12:666489. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.666489

Patel V.Talking sensibly about depression.PLoS Med. 2017;14(4):e1002257. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002257

Tyrrell P, Harberger S, Schoo C, Siddiqui W.Kubler-ross stages of dying and subsequent models of grief. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2024.

Kovacs M, Obrosky S, George C.The course of major depressive disorder from childhood to young adulthood: Recovery and recurrence in a longitudinal observational study.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016;203:374-381. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.042

World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).

John Hopkins Medicine.Major depression.

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

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