Key Takeaways
Depression typically comes and goes during a person’s life. While it may never fully go away, you may have times when your symptoms improve.
Not everyone with depression responds to typical treatments like therapy and medication. This is often referred to as treatment-resistant depression.
If you’re experiencing depression, support is available. It might help to consider changing treatment approaches and shifting your focus to managing your symptoms rather than removing them.
When someone says they’re depressed, it can mean several things. Some people use the term casually when they’re feeling sad or having difficulty with motivation. But clinically speaking, depression has specific diagnostic features, including how long it lasts. The different types of depression share many of the same symptoms, but they don’t necessarily follow the same timeline.
It’s possible that you may have just one episode of depression. However, for most people, depression is recurring, meaning it will never fully go away. Having a single depressive episode [1] means there’s a 60% chance that you’ll have one again. If you have three depressive episodes [1], there’s a 90% chance of having one again. The good news is, while there’s no cure for depression, there are things you can do to manage it. Therapy, medication (if needed), and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent future depressive episodes — and if symptoms return, the impact is often easier to navigate.
How long does depression usually last?
How long a person’s depression lasts depends on personal factors. For example, the severity of symptoms, the presence of co-occurring conditions, and access to support can significantly impact the experience of your symptoms.
In addition, each type of depression has a unique timeline for diagnosis. To issue an accurate diagnosis, healthcare providers need to know how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms. For example:
Major depressive disorder (MDD): With MDD, a person must experience depressive symptoms that are severe enough to disrupt daily activities for at least two weeks [2]. Untreated major depressive episodes can last 6 to 12 months [3].
Persistent depressive disorder (PDD): Also known as dysthymia or dysthymic disorder, with PDD a person has less severe symptoms of depression that persist for at least two years [2].
Perinatal depression: To be diagnosed with perinatal depression, timelines can vary. But about 25% of birth-giving people with perinatal depression will have symptoms for three years after giving birth [4].
Some forms of MDD show up seasonally during certain months of the year. This is referred to as seasonal affective disorder [5] (SAD). Other forms of depression can manifest and then symptoms decrease due to biological or hormonal cycles like with premenstrual dysmorphic disorder (PMDD).
Depression can also arise due to challenging circumstances like grief or major life changes. In these cases, a person may need temporary support. But their symptoms may get better in time. A decline in mood can also happen due to an illness or other health condition [6], and symptoms may subside after treating those areas.
No matter the form of depression you’re living with, symptoms can evolve, and some days, weeks, months, and years may be harder than others. However, with the right support, some people can achieve remission for extended periods of time. If your symptoms come back, know that you don’t need to navigate this experience alone. With help from a therapist or psychiatrist, many people live fulfilling, balanced lives with depression.
What helps depression go away?
Most people with MDD require ongoing support because symptoms typically continue throughout life, even into old age [7]. Support often involves a combination of therapy and psychiatric care.
But it isn’t uncommon for depressive episodes to end on their own. This is called spontaneous remission, and research [8] shows that, among cases of untreated depression, about:
23% will improve within 3 months
32% will improve within 6 months
53% will improve within 12 months
If you’re experiencing a depressive episode, the following tips can help:
Take care of your physical well-being. Research shows that adopting a healthy lifestyle [9] (like eating balanced meals, making time for movement, and getting adequate rest) can reduce the risk of depression.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol is considered a depressant [10]. So if you’re experiencing a depressive episode, drinking alcohol could make it worse.
Lean on your support system. During a depressive episode, you might feel like isolating yourself. But keeping in touch with your support system can help you feel more connected.
Keep a consistent routine. During a depressive episode, keeping a consistent schedule — especially with your sleep habits — can help balance your mood.
When depression doesn’t seem to get better
If you’ve tried to manage your depression on your own but it’s not getting better, it’s likely time to seek a professional evaluation. Some forms of severe depression don’t subside with self-care or respond to therapy or medication. These include conditions like persistent depressive disorder [11] (PDD) and treatment-resistant depression. However, some other factors [12] can make depression last longer, including:
Your depression may feel comforting to you and like part of your personality. Sometimes we hold tight to what’s familiar, and the idea of change can feel overwhelming.
You’ve tried therapy and/or medication. But nothing seems to make you feel better. Often, it can take a long time to figure out what works, and this process requires patience.
You have complex mental health needs because you live with one or more conditions (like if you have depression and anxiety). When this occurs, it can be harder to feel relief.
Getting the right support for depression
The first step in getting support for depression is accessing professional help. A therapist or psychiatrist can listen to your concerns, provide an evaluation, and issue a diagnosis. This is an important step in understanding the full picture of your mental health. Knowing the type of depression you have (as well as identifying any co-occurring conditions) can help your provider determine which supports might be best for you.
If you’re already receiving care but aren’t seeing improvement in your symptoms, here are some things to consider:
Switching approaches: No one therapeutic method works for everyone. If your provider’s approach isn’t helping, ask them if you can switch things up. For example, if they focus on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), ask about alternatives. Similarly, if your depression medication isn’t working or if you’re having unwanted side effects, bring that up with your provider. Ask your psychiatrist if they think you should try a different medication, modify your dose, or consider other options.
Exploring alternative treatments: Depending on where you live and the healthcare providers you have access to, you might be able to explore alternative depression treatments. For example, you could consider holistic techniques like mindfulness for depression.
Getting a physical: If you didn’t receive a medical screening before beginning treatment, it might be a good idea to do that now. In some cases, depression can be caused by physical health problems. For example, having an underactive thyroid [13] can cause depression. In that case, antidepressants won’t help, as the thyroid is the issue.
If you have depression that won’t go away with treatment, you might wonder about the future. While some people’s depression never fully subsides, it doesn’t mean they can’t live a meaningful life. Often, this requires shifting perspectives.
Instead of trying to get rid of symptoms, the focus becomes on learning to manage them. Sometimes, it also means giving yourself time to grieve the life you may have pictured for yourself, one without depression. No matter what your feelings are about your mental health, remember that they’re valid. You can live a full, value-aligned life even with depression.
Clinician's take
When I work with clients who feel worn down by recurring depression, I look for small signs of resilience — things like showing up to sessions, reaching out for help, or trying one coping skill. Those moments may seem small, but they tell me the person is still fighting for themselves.
Find care with Rula
Depression can impact people in different ways and last for varying amounts of time. If your depression is lingering, it might be due to the type you’re living with. Conditions like PDD and treatment-resistant depression can last for a long time, even with treatment. For many people, depression is a lifelong condition.
There may be times when your depression goes away, even for extended periods. But if you have even one depressive episode, it’s likely that you’ll experience another. Fortunately, while there’s no cure for depression, it can be managed. Many people find relief through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. However, remember that you can still live a full, meaningful life even if your depression never fully goes away.
At Rula, we’re here to help you feel better. Rula makes it easy to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who takes your insurance. That way, you don’t have to choose between great care and a price you can afford.
Rula patients pay about $15 per session with insurance, and 93% say they feel better after getting care through Rula. We have 21,000+ providers, and appointments are available as soon as tomorrow. We’re here to help you take the next step — wherever you are in your mental health journey.
