Depression is considered chronic if it lasts more than two years. Depression that resolves in less than two years is known as episodic.
Chronic vs. Episodic Depression
Chronically depressed patients are more likely to:
- have more difficulty functioning in daily life,
- have an increased risk of suicide,
- have experienced childhood trauma,
- have a family history of mood disorders,
- and have an additional psychiatric disorder.
About half of patients with chronic depression who get better with treatment end up suffering relapses within one or two years after stopping treatment. Treatment for chronic depression may need to be long-term.
Statistics Regarding the Effectiveness of Antidepressant Medication
About 50% of patients with chronic or episodic depression get relief from antidepressant medications. Staying on these medications for 4 months is sometimes necessary in order for them to work. Staying on them for 6 to 12 months is sometimes recommended to prevent relapse.
Studies have shown that two types of antidepressants: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) and tricyclic antidepressant drugs can be effective. No particular antidepressant drug is considered to be more effective than the others overall, although some antidepressant drugs are more effective in certain situations.
Studies lasting 6 to 12 weeks have shown that 25 to 35% of patients experienced full remission of their symptoms in the time period of the study; while up to 55% experienced some symptom reduction but not full remission. Other studies show that continuing treatment for 3 to 4 months can bring about full remission in those who experienced some symptom reduction initially.
Other Depression Cures
Antidepressant medications are not the only effective treatments for depression. According to Dr. Kelly Rohan, “Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in numerous clinical trials for a wide variety of psychological problems including depression.” The rate of effectiveness, approximately 50%, is similar to medication.
Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) designed by Dr. James P. McCullough is a variation of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) specifically designed for those with chronic depression. He developed it after years of studying the way chronically depressed people think, behave and communicate, and it is considered an effective treatment for chronic depression.
Interpersonal psychotherapy is also used in chronic depression. Light therapy is the first line treatment of choice for Seasonal Affective Disorder, (winter depression) and it also works for more than 50% of patients. It is also being used for non-seasonal depression.
Chronic depression can be harder to treat than episodic depression, because it tends to be more complicated. Early treatment is recommended. Several treatment options including antidepressants, different types of talk therapies like CBT, CBASP and light therapy are helpful with depression, including chronic depression.
For more information, see Clinical Depression Statistics
Sources:
-Psychotherapy Networker, January/February 2010, Vol. 34, No. 1 “Clinician’s Digest: Preventing Depression”, page 16.
-Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Mental Health Letter, December 2009, Vol.26, No. 6. "Managing Chronic Depression," pp. 1-2.
Lisa C. DeLuca - Lisa C. DeLuca is a psychotherapist/social worker who works with families and teens. She also treats panic and anxiety disorders.
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