Many people use the word “depression” as shorthand for “major depression” or “major depressive disorder.” A major depressive disorder takes a toll on your mood and ability to function for at least 2 weeks.
You may feel sad, hopeless, tired, restless, and irritable. You may notice changes in your appetite. You may need help concentrating, sleeping, or doing all the usual activities of your daily life.
A mental health professional can help you monitor symptoms of major depression and focus on remission. Here are a few facts to know about remission in depression.
1. Remission is possible
Remission is relief from depression symptoms and the ability to function in your daily life again. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, (DSM-5), says you’ve reached remission after no longer experiencing symptoms for at least 2 months. Some experts also use the Hamilton Rating Scale to rate depression symptoms to define remission or identify a cut-off level for improvement of symptoms.
While it can take some trial and error to find the proper treatment, many people can go into remission from depression. Most importantly, know that you can be hopeful about the possibility of remission. Also, the earlier you begin treatment, the greater the likelihood of a positive outcome.
2. Remission may be easier to reach for some people
Research suggests that it may be easier to go into remission if you’ve had a shorter episode of major depression, good social support, and higher functioning. It may be more difficult to reach remission if you’ve experienced frequent relapses.
Still, that does not mean that you can’t reach remission if you haven’t had shorter, less frequent depressive episodes or strong social support.
3. Some people may only achieve partial remission
Some people go into full remission with treatment or a combination of treatments. However, others may experience treatment resistant depression, which requires a different approach to treatment. Or they may experience some relief from treatment, which some experts call “partial remission.”
Partial remission may require different tools to help you navigate symptoms. You may feel vulnerable, which research suggests is not uncommon. You may want to talk with your doctor or therapist about considering other treatment alternatives to help you feel better.
4. A different treatment may help
The type of depression symptoms varies from person to person, as does the frequency and severity of the symptoms. Also, genetic factors, other health problems, and your age may be factors.
As a result, considering different treatment options may be beneficial. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT) might be helpful. Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), the most common first-line medication, or a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) may also be valuable.
There is also medication designed to target treatment resistant depression. For example, if you haven’t gotten relief from two previous antidepressants, you may be able to use the nasal spray esketamine along with a regular antidepressant.
For some people who don’t have success with talk therapy or medication, brain stimulation therapy may be an option. This includes therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).
Finding the best treatment for you may take time. If you experience side effects from a medication, let your doctor know.
If you feel your current treatment isn’t working well, let your doctor know about that, too. It may take some trial and error to help you find the right combination of treatments to help you reach remission.