The Problem Of Recurrence: Depression
Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
The problem of recurrence
When depression isn't treated, there's a high likelihood that it will recur. Roughly half of those who have a single untreated episode of major depression will go on to have another. The second untreated episode boosts the odds of a third. Once that occurs, the chances of having a fourth episode are 90%. Over a lifetime, people with untreated major depression will have an average of five to seven episodes, and episodes often accelerate, becoming more frequent and more severe.
Bipolar disorder, dysthymia, and all other mood disorders are also more likely to persist or recur if they go untreated. As with depression, episodes occur more frequently and become more intense over time. This suggests that it's best to treat major depression, bipolar disorder, and dysthymia as early as possible.
| Last updated: | January 23, 2007 |
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Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
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