Can Depression Go Away on Its Own?

Many people with clinical depression forego psychological help for a while, hoping it will go away on its own. However, research shows that proper diagnosis and treatment can help—particularly when treatment is started early and involves both psychotherapy and medication. Although mild or situational depression can resolve on its own in some cases, clinical depression often requires (and responds to) treatment.

Why Depression Sometimes Goes Away on Its Own—and Sometimes Doesn't

Many say that "time heals all wounds," but that's not entirely true when it comes to depression. It depends on its type, length, and severity, among other factors.

Type of Depression

Certain types of depression tend to last longer than others. For example, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) generally occurs only during the winter months, easing in springtime. Conversely, persistent depressive disorder lasts for two or more years.

Underlying Causes

The cause of the depression can also affect its length. Depression caused by a specific situation or temporary stressor often resolves when the situation does, whereas depression resulting from other factors can persist.

Some health conditions can trigger or exacerbate depression. For example, some women experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which is depression that recurs during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle. Likewise, some new mothers develop postpartum depression. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine possible causes and best treatments for your depression.

Severity

Mild depression sometimes resolves without formal treatment. Moderate or severe depression, however, usually requires medical attention.

Treatment usually includes medication, therapy, or a combination of the two. Additionally, complementary approaches such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, exercise, meditation, and massage have all been found to help ease depression.

Understanding Depression

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common form of depression and can ebb and flow throughout a person's lifetime. Symptoms typically associated with MDD include:

• Depressed mood
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Significant changes in your weight or appetite
• Sleep issues
• Feeling tired or fatigued
• Increased feelings of agitation
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, or making decisions

These symptoms must be present for at least two weeks before a diagnosis of MDD can be made. If depression persists for two years or more, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), also known as dysthymia, may be diagnosed. PDD affects roughly 3% of people in the United States, and females are diagnosed twice as often as males.

Why Treatment Is Important

While many medications, such as antibiotics, cure the illnesses they are designed to treat, antidepressants do not cure depression. Their effect is only temporary. This is because antidepressants work by changing the brain's chemistry, but only for as long as the person is taking them. They do not address the underlying causes of depression.

No matter the cause, untreated depression can be extremely debilitating and interfere with every part of life. Severe depression can lead to suicide without immediate attention.

Depression has also been linked to a variety of physical health issues, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic disorders. In the case of heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes, depression may accelerate the progression of the disease. Depression can make treating other medical illnesses difficult because of the lack of motivation and energy that typically comes with it.

Although an individual episode of depression may go away on its own without treatment, it can also get worse—so immediate treatment at the first signs of depression is important.

Treatment Options

Current evidence suggests that someone who has had one episode of depression has a 50% risk of another. With each additional episode, this risk rises, increasing to 70% after a second episode and 90% after the third.

Appropriate treatment can shorten depression's length and severity, and many options are available.

Medications

Antidepressants can start to relieve the symptoms of depression in as little as two to four weeks. This not only helps you feel better but can also keep depression from getting worse.

Research indicates that the more severe your depression, the more antidepressants can help. Antidepressants can also help prevent relapses.

Some people fear taking antidepressants because they are concerned with how they will affect day-to-day life. However, side effects typically subside as your body gets used to the medication. Continuing to take them as prescribed is crucial.

Therapy

Several types of therapy can help relieve feelings of depression. Among them is cognitive behavioral therapy, which can provide positive results even when delivered via computer. Cognitive behavioral therapy teaches people how to change their thought patterns and coping mechanisms to foster a more positive outlook and outcomes.

Another therapy option is interpersonal therapy, which focuses on social roles and interpersonal interactions. This is considered a time-limited treatment, which generally means 12 to 16 weeks, and it is commonly used in mood disorders like MDD.

Complementary Treatments

Several complementary treatment options consistently show benefits for depression. They include:

• Herbal remedies such as St. John's wort and ginkgo biloba
• Acupuncture
• Reflexology
• Meditation
• Massage
• Guided imagery
• Yoga

Including these alternative remedies in your treatment plan may help you begin to feel better.

Self-Care

Sleeping well, eating a nutritious diet, and not misusing alcohol or drugs to cope can help you feel better.

Another form of self-care to consider is exercise. Just 20 to 40 minutes of physical activity—walking, running, or attending a fitness class—three times a week can help reduce depression symptoms, not only now but in the long term.

Many people with depression, however, understandably struggle with self-care. Your healthcare provider may offer other treatment options until you're more able to take healthy steps on your own.

The Combination Approach

Combining two or more treatment options can maximize relief from your depression. For example, embracing a self-care routine that includes exercise, massage, meditation, or other approaches while also taking medication is likely to produce more relief than any single treatment option.

The Takeaway

Although a particular episode of depression might go away on its own, it can also get worse without intervention. Depression is highly treatable with proven and continuously evolving medications and approaches, so there's no reason to hold off getting help—and no shame or harm in asking a professional for treatment.