prognosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
The risk of recurrent or chronic depression following an index episode is high.
Most patients make some recovery:
- 50-60% make at least a brief recovery within a year
- 90% make a recovery within 5 years
If a weighted average of mood is taken over the longer term then it is apparent that recurrence is common:
- 43% are improved at one year
- only 24% are improved at 5 years
- 25% will become depressed again within one year of an index episode
- 75% will eventually have recurrent depression
Chronic depression is common:
- 25% of depressed patients will become chronically depressed
Reference:
- Angst, J. (1997). A regular review of the long term follow up of depression. BMJ, 315, 1143-4.