Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTimingTypesSevere SymptomsCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Timing

Types

Severe Symptoms

Coping

The average depressive episode lasts around five to seven months.Depression and its contributing factors are different for each person. You may experience depression after quitting nicotine or drinking, after a breakup, or alongside a new diagnosis.

In this article, learn about how long depression episodes can last, how to cope when you’re experiencing one, and available treatments.

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Timing of Depression Episodes

From there, depression could last weeks, months, or even years.

While research has given us some information on the average length of a depressive episode—five to seven months—how long your depressive episode lasts will depend on individual factors.

Is Depression Lifelong?

For many people, depression is a lifelong mental health condition that comes and goes in episodes. These episodes last varying lengths, from a couple of weeks to over six months, and can recur throughout a person’s life.

Others may only experience one episode of depression in their lifetime.

When Do Symptoms Go Away?

According to the American Psychiatric Association, between 80% to 90% of people with depression who seek treatment will eventually find one that works.Almost everyone can recover from depression, but estimating the exact timing is challenging.

Promptdiagnosis, treatment with medications, psychotherapy (talk therapy), and self-coping strategies (or some combination of the three approaches) can help reduce depression symptoms.

Steps to Take to Shorten a Depression Episode

Getting through a depressive episode isn’t easy. Below are some actionable steps you can take to shorten a depression episode:

What Is Major Depressive Disorder?

Which Types of Depression Last Longer?

Some types of depression can last longer than others. Depression that lasts a long time is known astreatment-resistant, chronic, orpersistent depression.

Persistent depressive disorder is diagnosed if someone experiences symptoms continuously—at least two years in adults or one year in children.Persistent depressive disorder is different thanmajor depressive disorder, and fewer symptoms are required for diagnosis.

There is no formal definition for chronic depression or treatment-resistant depression. However, it’s generally seen as depression that doesn’t respond to at least two antidepressant medications or depression with multiple recurrences within three years.

This doesn’t mean that depression is not treatable; it just means that you may need to try more treatments before finding one that works.

Causes of DepressionDepression is a complex mental health disorder for which there is no singular cause. Some factors that can contribute to the underlying cause of your depression include:GeneticsEnvironmentAdverse life eventsPhysical health issues

Causes of Depression

Depression is a complex mental health disorder for which there is no singular cause. Some factors that can contribute to the underlying cause of your depression include:GeneticsEnvironmentAdverse life eventsPhysical health issues

Depression is a complex mental health disorder for which there is no singular cause. Some factors that can contribute to the underlying cause of your depression include:

Scientists Call For More Research on Treatment-Resistant Depression

Severe Depression Symptoms

According to one study, about 10% to 17% of cases of depression are chronic.

Predictors of chronic depression include:

Severe symptoms of depression can include:

Seek Help for Suicidal ThoughtsIf you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see Verywell’sNational Helpline Database.

Seek Help for Suicidal Thoughts

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one is in immediate danger, call 911. For more mental health resources, see Verywell’sNational Helpline Database.

Reminders During Depressive Episodes

Research shows that repeating mantras can help reduce symptoms of depression.While you can’t force yourself into recovery during a depressive episode, you can use the following reminders to help you get through the hard times:

Are There Stages of Depression?

Summary

The average depressive episode lasts between five and seven months. However, depression is different for everyone. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can help shorten depressive episodes. If you’ve struggled with depression symptoms for more than two weeks, reach out to a healthcare provider to discuss a diagnosis and learn about your treatment options.

13 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.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.2016.05.042Solomon DA, Keller MB, Leon AC, et al.Recovery from major depression: a 10-year prospective follow-up across multiple episodes.Archives of General Psychiatry. 1997;54(11):1001-1006. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830230033005National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).Kendler KS, Gardner CO.Depressive vulnerability, stressful life events and episode onset of major depression: a longitudinal model.Psychological Medicine. 2016;46(9):1865-1874. doi:10.1017/S0033291716000349American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Rohan KJ, Mahon JN, Evans M, et al.Randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus light therapy for seasonal affective disorder: acute outcomes.AJP. 2015;172(9):862-869. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14101293Belzeaux R, Annweiler C, Bertrand JA, et al.Association between hypovitaminosis D and cognitive inhibition impairment during major depression episode.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;225:302-305. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.047American Psychiatric Association. Depressive disorders. In:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed., Text Revision. Washington D.C.: 2022.Voineskos D, Daskalakis ZJ, Blumberger DM.Management of treatment-resistant depression: challenges and strategies.NDT. 2020;16:221-234. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198774Steinert C, Hofmann M, Kruse J, Leichsenring F.The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the community. A systematic literature review.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014;152-154:65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.017National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide warning signs.Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, et al.Effectiveness of mantra-based meditation on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3380. doi: 10.3390%2Fijerph19063380

13 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.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.2016.05.042Solomon DA, Keller MB, Leon AC, et al.Recovery from major depression: a 10-year prospective follow-up across multiple episodes.Archives of General Psychiatry. 1997;54(11):1001-1006. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830230033005National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).Kendler KS, Gardner CO.Depressive vulnerability, stressful life events and episode onset of major depression: a longitudinal model.Psychological Medicine. 2016;46(9):1865-1874. doi:10.1017/S0033291716000349American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Rohan KJ, Mahon JN, Evans M, et al.Randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus light therapy for seasonal affective disorder: acute outcomes.AJP. 2015;172(9):862-869. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14101293Belzeaux R, Annweiler C, Bertrand JA, et al.Association between hypovitaminosis D and cognitive inhibition impairment during major depression episode.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;225:302-305. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.047American Psychiatric Association. Depressive disorders. In:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed., Text Revision. Washington D.C.: 2022.Voineskos D, Daskalakis ZJ, Blumberger DM.Management of treatment-resistant depression: challenges and strategies.NDT. 2020;16:221-234. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198774Steinert C, Hofmann M, Kruse J, Leichsenring F.The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the community. A systematic literature review.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014;152-154:65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.017National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide warning signs.Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, et al.Effectiveness of mantra-based meditation on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3380. doi: 10.3390%2Fijerph19063380

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.

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.2016.05.042Solomon DA, Keller MB, Leon AC, et al.Recovery from major depression: a 10-year prospective follow-up across multiple episodes.Archives of General Psychiatry. 1997;54(11):1001-1006. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830230033005National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).Kendler KS, Gardner CO.Depressive vulnerability, stressful life events and episode onset of major depression: a longitudinal model.Psychological Medicine. 2016;46(9):1865-1874. doi:10.1017/S0033291716000349American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Rohan KJ, Mahon JN, Evans M, et al.Randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus light therapy for seasonal affective disorder: acute outcomes.AJP. 2015;172(9):862-869. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14101293Belzeaux R, Annweiler C, Bertrand JA, et al.Association between hypovitaminosis D and cognitive inhibition impairment during major depression episode.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;225:302-305. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.047American Psychiatric Association. Depressive disorders. In:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed., Text Revision. Washington D.C.: 2022.Voineskos D, Daskalakis ZJ, Blumberger DM.Management of treatment-resistant depression: challenges and strategies.NDT. 2020;16:221-234. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198774Steinert C, Hofmann M, Kruse J, Leichsenring F.The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the community. A systematic literature review.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014;152-154:65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.017National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide warning signs.Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, et al.Effectiveness of mantra-based meditation on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3380. doi: 10.3390%2Fijerph19063380

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

Solomon DA, Keller MB, Leon AC, et al.Recovery from major depression: a 10-year prospective follow-up across multiple episodes.Archives of General Psychiatry. 1997;54(11):1001-1006. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.1997.01830230033005

National Institute of Mental Health.Depression.

World Health Organization.Depressive disorder (depression).

Kendler KS, Gardner CO.Depressive vulnerability, stressful life events and episode onset of major depression: a longitudinal model.Psychological Medicine. 2016;46(9):1865-1874. doi:10.1017/S0033291716000349

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?

Rohan KJ, Mahon JN, Evans M, et al.Randomized trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy versus light therapy for seasonal affective disorder: acute outcomes.AJP. 2015;172(9):862-869. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14101293

Belzeaux R, Annweiler C, Bertrand JA, et al.Association between hypovitaminosis D and cognitive inhibition impairment during major depression episode.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2018;225:302-305. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.08.047

American Psychiatric Association. Depressive disorders. In:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Ed., Text Revision. Washington D.C.: 2022.

Voineskos D, Daskalakis ZJ, Blumberger DM.Management of treatment-resistant depression: challenges and strategies.NDT. 2020;16:221-234. doi:10.2147/NDT.S198774

Steinert C, Hofmann M, Kruse J, Leichsenring F.The prospective long-term course of adult depression in general practice and the community. A systematic literature review.Journal of Affective Disorders. 2014;152-154:65-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2013.10.017

National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide warning signs.

Álvarez-Pérez Y, Rivero-Santana A, Perestelo-Pérez L, et al.Effectiveness of mantra-based meditation on mental health: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6):3380. doi: 10.3390%2Fijerph19063380

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