Maybe you haven’t felt like yourself in months. You don’t have the energy for hobbies or socializing. You’re having trouble keeping up at work because you’re so fatigued. Some days, you feel like you’re on the verge of tears even though nothing specific has gone wrong. But sometimes, you just feel numb. You might experience a lingering sense of guilt because you haven’t been truly happy in so long. But to other people, your circumstances seem favorable from the outside looking in.

If you’re suffering from depression symptoms, you may be wondering how long it will take for you to feel genuinely happy and content again. Let’s explore how long depression can last and when you may start seeing the benefits of treatment.

Circumstantial Depression

Sometimes, people experience depression because of specific circumstances. You might feel depressed because you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, coping with a layoff and difficult job search, or adjusting to life in a new city where you don’t know anyone yet. If you’re dealing with depression due to a specific set of circumstances, you may overcome these symptoms as your circumstances gradually improve. This does not mean that seeking help isn’t worth it. Talking to a therapist can certainly help you adapt to tough circumstances. But circumstantial depression can dissipate with time.

Clinical Depression

Clinical depression can last much longer than circumstantial depression. People may live with clinical depression due to a genetic predisposition or unexplained factors. The root cause of depression is not always obvious. People can become depressed even when everything is going “right” in their lives.

Someone who has major depressive disorder (MDD) might struggle with their symptoms for anywhere from six to eighteen months. However, the timeline can vary for every individual. However, persistent depressive disorder (PDD) can last for two years or more.

There’s No Specific “Timeline” For Depression

It’s important to keep in mind that while it’s natural to wonder how long it will take to feel relief from your symptoms. However, thinking of yourself as being on a “timeline” to overcome depression can feel like a burden. You might start putting on pressure on yourself to feel better or fake a positive attitude when you’re still struggling inside. It can be helpful to understand some basic facts regarding how long depression can last. But these metrics should not be viewed as “deadlines.”

When Can You See Improvements?

Maybe you’ve started implementing some helpful lifestyle changes, like exercising, getting more sleep, cooking healthy meals, and reducing your screen time. Perhaps you’ve even reached out to a therapist and booked your very first session. Now that you’re actively taking steps toward healing, you might be wondering when you can expect to find some relief from your symptoms. It can take about two to three months of active treatment with consistent effort in your daily life to notice benefits.

If you are prescribed medication, pay close attention to any side effects so that you can tweak your dosage or switch prescriptions if necessary. It can still take time to experience the benefits of medication, and it is not a “fast track” to healing from depression.

Depression Can Re-Occur

For some people, depression does re-occur. This does not mean that you have failed or done something wrong. Sometimes, people are just particularly vulnerable to depression. Even when your symptoms lift, monitor how you feel on a daily basis so that you can act quickly if symptoms pop up again.

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Are you struggling with symptoms of depression? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for depression therapy.

It can be hard to spot the signs and symptoms of depression in yourself or a loved one. While depression can present differently in many people, there are some prominent symptoms that tend to crop up. Furthermore, people might not be aware of their treatment options, so they delay seeking help because they don’t know where to turn.

Whether you’re concerned that you might be struggling with depression or you’re worried about one of your loved ones, learning more about the symptoms and treatment options for this condition is important. Here are some signs and symptoms that lots of people with depression tend to experience, as well as some of the most popular treatment routes.

Signs & Symptoms

1. Difficulty Handling Basic Tasks

People with depression often have trouble with simple tasks. You might struggle to remember your to-do list at work, leave your room untidy, or even have trouble simply getting out of bed in the morning. You may come across as forgetful or absent-minded. But inside, you’re grappling with brain fog that makes it hard to concentrate on anything. It’s easy to lose your focus at any given moment, and even crucial responsibilities don’t seem so important anymore.

2. Emotional Numbness Or Pervasive Sadness

Some people with depression experience a deep, overwhelming sense of sadness that hangs over their everyday life. No matter what they’re doing or how “good” their circumstances seem from the outside, they can’t shake this feeling of pervasive sadness.

On the other hand, other people with depression may feel emotionally numb. Even if you’re doing something that you used to enjoy, you may not feel any real joy. A lack of interest in activities or hobbies you used to love can be a prominent symptom of depression.

3. Lack Of Energy And Physical Symptoms

Depression can also affect your physical health. You might have trouble sleeping and stay up tossing and turning all night, even if you’re exhausted. Sometimes, you may feel like you have no appetite, or you might suffer from stomachaches and headaches. Overall, depression can sap you of your energy. Even when you do manage to get enough sleep, you still feel tired the next day.

Treatment

1. Talk Therapy

Talk therapy is one popular treatment path for depression. By talking to a therapist about your symptoms and when you begin feeling this way, you’ll be able to address the root cause of your depression. You can also learn helpful strategies for managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life. Working with a therapist gives you the chance to open up about everything that’s on your mind.

2. Medication

Sometimes, talk therapy isn’t enough to help someone work through their depression and overcome their symptoms. Many people with depression benefit from taking medication. However, it’s a good idea to try talk therapy before asking about medication, as many people see major improvements from a combination of sustained talk therapy and medication.

3. Lifestyle Changes

It can be difficult to make big lifestyle changes when you’re living with depression. However, depending on your specific symptoms, the resources you have available, and your personal goals, your therapist might recommend specific lifestyle habits. They can help you set up realistic systems and routines that will allow you to gradually implement these habits. This might include going to bed earlier, making some dietary tweaks, creating room in your schedule for gentle exercise, meditating, or writing in a journal to let your feelings out.

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Are you concerned that you’re experiencing symptoms of depression? Talking to a therapist can help. Reach out to us to discuss your options for scheduling your first session for depression therapy.