What is the average duration of an untreated episode of depression?

Untreated, a Major Depressive Episode may last, on average, about 4 months. Some people only experience a single depressive episode and thereafter are symptom free. However, many people who experience one major depressive episode will go on to experience multiple major depressive episodes.

How long does it take to recover from a major depressive episode?

Studies found that the average duration of a major depressive episode is between three or four months, while other research has estimated that the average duration is 6 to 10.7 months.

How long must a depressive episode be defined as clinical depression?

Different than just feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps,” clinical depression is believed to be caused by imbalances of chemicals in the brain. To be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, you must experience at least five depression symptoms, once a day, for at least two weeks.

What actually causes depression?

Research suggests that depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of certain brain chemicals. Rather, there are many possible causes of depression, including faulty mood regulation by the brain, genetic vulnerability, stressful life events, medications, and medical problems.

How long can a depressive episode Last?

By definition, symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks. A typical untreated episode lasts for about 6 -9 months, but a single episode can potentially last for years. Major depression. Untreated, a major depressive episode can last as long as 18 months or more.

What to do after a depressive episode?

Some focused self-care often helps when you’re in the depths of the depressive episode itself. Self-care can include anything from taking a bath to listening to music to meditating — and if you know that a depressive episode is coming, you can fiddle with your schedule to ensure that there’s time to do some self-care.

How long do your depressive episodes last?

A depressive episode in the context of a major depressive disorder is a period characterized by low mood and other depression symptoms that lasts for 2 weeks or more . When experiencing a depressive episode, a person can try to make changes to their thoughts and behaviors to help improve their mood.

How long will a bipolar depression episode usually last?

To be clinically considered a bipolar episode, the instance of mania or depression must last unbroken for at least seven days. Without treatment, manic episodes will last for around two to three months, while untreated depressive episodes can persist for six months or more.