Course and Outcome

A person with a mild condition may have experienced a life event that precipitates the illness. Many of these individuals do not contact a Health Care Professional or obtain treatment. If help is enlisted or treatment instituted, it is often in the form of counselling and/or a short course of antidepressants. The illness in the majority of cases is self-limiting. Significant improvement can be expected within a 6-month period with complete resolution after approximately 12 months.

A person with a moderate condition is likely to have more severe and persistent symptoms over several months. They are likely to be treated with higher doses of antidepressants. Many of these people do not respond to the treatment that is initially provided by their GP and may require referral to the psychiatric services. They almost always respond to appropriate treatment but this may take up to 12 to 18 months to resolve. A small proportion may experience ongoing or recurrent symptoms.

A person with a severe condition is likely to require hospital admission. They are likely to require high doses of antidepressants or multiple drug therapy. Those that fail to respond may require Electro convulsive therapy (ECT). The majority do however respond to treatment. Resolution of symptoms for the acute episode may be expected within a 1 to 2 year period and the person is likely to require ongoing contact with psychiatric services. A significant proportion may develop ongoing or recurrent symptoms. Some may require residential accommodation.