For example, a review of multiple studies found that some mothers experience remission of postpartum depression symptoms as soon as six months after symptoms first appear. Postpartum depression occurs during the period after childbirth, and like other forms of depression, its duration can vary. In many cases, this is considered a milder, more chronic form of depression when compared to major depressive disorder. In cases of persistent depression, a person experiences a depressed mood along with two other symptoms. While major depression only requires depression symptoms to last 2 weeks for a diagnosis to be made, persistent depressive disorder is diagnosed when a person shows depression symptoms for at least 2 years. Persistent depressive disorderįor some people, depression can be ongoing, lasting for several years. Someone who has bipolar disorder with rapid cycling may have brief periods of depression before cycling back to mania. It is possible for depression to be of a shorter duration for patients with bipolar disorder, as they may experience rapid cycling, which is diagnosed when a person has four or more mood episodes in a year. Just as with major depressive disorder, depressive episodes in bipolar disorder last at least 2 weeks. While episodes of depression need to last at least two weeks to meet diagnostic criteria, they can last longer than this, depending upon the severity of a person’s symptoms and their risk factors.ĭepression can also occur in the context of bipolar disorder, which involves alternating episodes of mania, or an elevated mood, and episodes of depression. To meet the diagnostic criteria for major depression, a person must experience depression symptoms most of the day, every day, for at least 2 weeks. When people use the term “depression,” they are often referring to major depressive disorder, which is a mood disorder included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. There are several different forms of depression, each of which is associated with a timeline based on diagnostic criteria. Get started Differences based on diagnosisĮach person will differ in the length of time it takes to overcome depression symptoms and enter remission, but there are some general expectations related to a person’s diagnosis. With treatment, depression symptoms can improve, but the timeline will vary for each person. Some other risk factors for persistent depression include:īased on what is known about the course of depression, the answer to “ When will my depression go away?” is not straightforward. For instance, one recent study found that older people were more likely to have persistent depression (lasting two years) when compared to younger adults. There are certain factors that can increase the likelihood that a person will experience chronic depression. It is impossible to determine exactly how long an episode will last or whether a person will relapse after undergoing treatment and entering remission. Some people may have a mild episode of depression and fully recover with treatment, whereas others may have severe or recurring episodes. There is no single, perfect answer to “How long does depression last?” Each person is unique and will experience depression in a different way. Variations in the length of depressive episodes There is treatment available to alleviate these depression symptoms, but when you’re in the midst of them, it’s natural to wonder, “How long does depression last?” While every situation is different, the information below can help you understand what to expect. Coping with an episode of depression can be difficult because episodes involve symptoms like persistent feelings of sadness, difficulty concentrating, and lack of interest in usual activities. adults had at least one episode of major depression in 2020. Variations in the length of depressive episodesĪccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, 8.4% of U.S.
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