How Long Does Depression Last?

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. Yet, no two experiences are exactly alike. Some people struggle with severe depression, making it nearly impossible to get out of bed each day. Others have high-functioning depression that allows them to lead full lives despite struggling internally.

The good news about depression, however, is that it’s often very manageable. But how long does it last? How long can you expect to struggle with symptoms, even after getting help?

Understanding the Symptoms of Depression

It’s perfectly normal to feel down sometimes. You might even go a few days with feelings of hopelessness and heaviness. But there’s a difference between having the blues and dealing with actual depression. To determine how long your depression has already been going on, it’s essential to understand some of the common symptoms. Some of those include:

• Withdrawal from people and things you love

• Fatigue

• Feelings of sadness or emptiness

• Aches and pains

• Anxiety or restlessness

• Mood swings

If you regularly experience more than one of these symptoms every day, and it’s been going on for several weeks, you’re likely dealing with depression and not just normal sadness. Think about how long you’ve been experiencing these feelings. Maybe you’ve been struggling for a while but just haven’t received an official diagnosis.

Trying to Manage Depression On Your Own

As stated above, depression can be very manageable—even treatable. However, it rarely goes away on its own. One of the big reasons for that is that it’s nearly impossible to dig deep enough inside yourself to get to the root cause of your depression. Even if you do, taking a proactive, positive approach to your symptoms can be difficult when you’re struggling with such extreme sadness.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do things to take care of yourself. Self-care is a great way to manage your symptoms of depression, but it likely won’t take it away completely. Things like exercise, prioritizing sleep, and even journaling can help your symptoms on a daily basis while you seek out more help. 

Getting the Help You Need

Often, the best way to treat depression is by seeing a mental health professional. A therapist will help you get to the root cause of your condition and make it easier to see where your depression began—and why.

Once you have a starting point, you can work from there to truly heal. A therapist will also teach you skills and strategies that will make it easier to manage your symptoms, so you can focus on staying in control while working through the issues that caused your sadness to begin with.

Finally, a therapist will help you feel supported. Having people in your corner while you’re trying to treat depression can make a big difference. Don’t hesitate to lean on family members and friends for support, too. While it’s tempting to isolate yourself, that’s likely to make matters worse. 

So, how long does depression last? There’s no specific timeline. It’s different for everyone, and so many factors must be considered. There’s also no pressure to “get over it” quickly. If you have people in your life offering advice that will help you move forward right away, that’s probably not realistic. However, you’re more likely to find freedom from the chains of depression with the right help rather than trying to walk through it alone.

If you’ve been struggling with depression for a while and you’re ready to break free from the feelings of hopelessness, feel free to contact me for depression therapy. Depression certainly doesn’t have to last forever, and true healing can begin now.