Today, we summarize the issue of depression recurrence that our patient friends often wonder about!
01
Is depression recurrence normal?
Depression recurrence refers to the reappearance or worsening of symptoms after the recovery from past depression.
Depression recurrence is quite common, requiring long-term attention and treatment from both patients and family members. Don’t just focus on survivorship bias, even though some people may only experience depression once or a few times, many others may face multiple recurrences.
Data shows that among depression patients, if they stop treatment after a period of improvement, half of them may experience a recurrence within six months. Over a period of ten years, up to 85% of patients may experience depression again.
When depression recurs and is accompanied by memory issues, reduced mobility, difficulty in emotional control, or slowed thinking, it can become severe and even lead to disability.
02
6 Major Causes of Recurrence and Prevention Tips
To prevent recurrence, it is essential to first understand the relevant factors so that targeted changes can be made to reduce the recurrence of depression.
1. Related to your personality traits and genetic factors
Around 80% of individuals with borderline personality traits will experience one or multiple episodes of depression in their lifetime. About half of those with borderline personality traits will continue to be troubled by depression issues.
A recent study on the recurrence of depression and personality traits found a stronger association between male patients with borderline personality traits and depression recurrence.
Additionally, the frequency and probability of recurrence vary among individuals. If there is a history of depression in the family, you may be more prone to a recurrence.
Preventative point in a sentence: Friends with a family history of depression or borderline personality traits need to be vigilant.
2. Related to your condition
For instance, the number and severity of past depressive episodes may influence the probability of recurrence. The more severe and longer the depressive episodes, the higher your risk of recurrence.
Moreover, even after receiving antidepressant treatment, some symptoms may persist, and these residual symptoms are important in predicting the likelihood of recurrence. Residual symptoms increase the risk of recurrence, with anxiety and somatic symptoms (such as insomnia, fatigue, etc.) being prominent residual symptoms of depression.
Comorbid issues also have an impact. Studies have found that the risk of depression recurrence increases when other mental disorders are present, but issues like comorbid alcohol use disorder or substance abuse have minimal effect on the recurrence of depression. Other mental disorders may complicate the treatment of depression, prolong the treatment duration, and exacerbate the social and psychological distress of patients.
Preventative point in a sentence: Monitor the severity of depression, residual symptoms, avoid alcohol and substance issues, pay attention to other comorbid conditions, continuously monitor mood changes, and follow the doctor’s advice.
3. Related to your treatment effectiveness and medication use
Receiving appropriate treatment and adopting self-management measures during the remission period can affect the risk of recurrence. Continuing medication, psychotherapy, healthy lifestyle practices, etc., may reduce the probability of recurrence.
Not adhering to medication instructions such as self-discontinuation or dosage adjustment, missing doses, not taking medications on time, not considering drug interactions with other substances (such as alcohol), can affect the efficacy of medication, influencing recurrence.
Preventative point in a sentence: Listen to your doctor, take your medication as prescribed, and stick to the treatment!
4. Related to your cognition
How you respond to your negative thoughts can help predict a recurrence of depression.
Individuals with depression often possess a negative thinking pattern, where they hold negative views and thoughts about themselves, feeling unworthy, hopeless, etc. The negative thoughts of individuals with depression can affect their emotions, known as cognitive responses. When we are feeling down, these negative thoughts become more active.
A study observed 99 depression patients who achieved clinical remission, tracked their cognitive responses, and found that cognitive responses play a crucial role in predicting depression recurrence 18 months later.
Another study found that rumination is one of the strongest factors predicting depression recurrence. Therefore, this overthinking rumination may also increase the risk of depression recurrence.
Preventative point in a sentence: Break free from rumination thinking, establish a positive thinking pattern!
5. Life events and stress
Stress, trauma, or significant changes in life may trigger the recurrence of depression. How individuals cope with life events may also affect the likelihood of recurrence. Emotional neglect, psychological and physical abuse, and sexual abuse during childhood may increase the risk of developing depression and also increase the risk of recurrence for those already suffering from depression. These adverse experiences may have long-lasting negative effects on an individual’s mental health, making them more susceptible to future depressive symptoms and recurrent episodes.
Current life circumstances and stress are related to the risk of depression recurrence. Particularly during adolescence and current periods, negative experiences and prolonged stress can influence an individual’s emotions and mental state, thereby increasing the likelihood of recurrent depression episodes.
Preventative point in a sentence: Individuals with such adverse experiences need to be especially cautious; and promptly deal with and cope with current psychological stress and difficulties to reduce the risk of depression recurrence.
6. Related to the weather
Many people with depression have experienced this situation where despite adhering to medication treatment when autumn and winter come, something seems off, and some individuals have recurrent episodes during this time annually.
Indeed, depression and other mental health issues may vary seasonally, especially during autumn and winter when symptoms worsen, while summer may be relatively better.
The seasonal changes in daylight hours lead to or exacerbate depressive episodes. In autumn and winter, with shorter daylight hours and reduced daytime, the body’s internal biological clock and rhythms are affected, impacting the regulation of emotions and feelings. Sometimes when consulting with your doctor to adjust medication during autumn and winter, you may notice that doctors are especially cautious about reducing medication dosage, aiming to prevent a re-aggravation of your condition.
Preventative point in a sentence: Stay consistent with treatment, especially in autumn and winter, and be more vigilant~
Today’s Discussion:
Medical advancements bring us closer to curing diseases and beyond! Will there be a way to predict the risk of depression recurrence just by watching a film in the future? Join the discussion!
(Image Source: Shutterstock)
References:
[1] Yue S, Wei H, Tang J, et al. Personality traits related to the recurrence of depression in college students[J]. China Journal of Mental Health, 2022, 36(05): 404-410.
[2] Kang L, Zhang N, Wang W, et al. Research progress on the relationship between depression recurrence and brain functional and structural changes[J]. Neural Injury and Functional Reconstruction, 2022, 17(04): 225-227.
[3] Yang L, Ren R, Wang X. Research progress in light therapy for depression and its related mechanism[J]. Chinese Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry, 2021, 47(11): 698-701.
