The warning signs of a depression relapse may include social withdrawal, fatigue, and irritability, and can be different each time. Spotting the red flags early may help prevent a more severe episode.

Many people who experience an episode of depression for the first time will remain well. However, depression can return one or more times throughout a person’s life.

Researchers do not know why some people experience a relapse, and others do not, but treatments are available to help people navigate through a relapse.

This article looks at the signs that depression is returning, potential triggers, and ways to prevent, treat, and cope with this condition.

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Occasional sadness or a loss of interest in everyday activities is a routine part of life. However, if these feelings occur almost daily for more than 2 weeksTrusted Source or begin to affect work or social life, a person may be experiencing depression.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression affects around 5%Trusted Source of adults worldwide.

A 2020 article suggests that depression can return in the following two ways:

  • Relapse: When symptoms reappear or worsen during recovery from an earlier episode. This affects approximately 1 in 2 people with depression and may be more likely within 6 months of receiving psychosocial treatment for a previous episode.
  • Recurrence: When symptoms return after a person fully recovers from a previous episode. Recurrence is typically less common than relapse.

The article’s authors suggest that relapses can also affect depression severity and a person’s response to treatment. A person who experiences a greater number of depressive episodes may beTrusted Source more at risk of future relapse and recurrence.

Learn more about some of the common symptoms of depression.

A person may recognize the same core warning signs of depression they experienced during previous episodes, but sometimes, symptoms can be different.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source lists the following warning signs of depression:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, Various triggers can cause a relapse or recurrence of depression, including:

  • stressful life events during or after recovery, such as:
    • family conflict
    • relationship changes
    • grief
  • incomplete recovery, which may result from stopping treatment early
  • alcohol and drugs
  • medical conditions, such as heart disease and cancer

Risk factors for depression relapse

A 2020 retrospective descriptive studyTrusted Source suggests the following factors may increase the risk of depression recurrence:

  • depression episode severity
  • depression episode frequency
  • early age onset of first depressive episode
  • immune system irregularities
  • family history of depression
  • history of suicide attempts
  • being female
  • older age

Learn more about what depression feels like.

These prevention strategies may help to stop depression from returning:

  • Completing treatment: Finishing the entire course of a prescribed medication can significantly reduce the risk of relapse, especially during the critical 6 months after treatment begins.
  • Mindfulness-based therapies: A 2019 studyTrusted Source suggested people who had mindfulness-based cognitive therapy had a lower risk of depression relapse after 60 weeks than people who did not or people who had other treatments.
  • Educating friends and family: Telling friends and family what warning signs to look out for might help identify an episode early.
  • Prepare for a relapse: It may help to make a plan so that, if warning signs do appear, the individual can act upon them quickly. A doctor can help with this.

When worrying symptoms come back during treatment, it might mean that the current treatment is not working as it should. In these instances, a doctor may recommend changing the treatment style or increasing the medication dosage.

Treatments that can help with depression include:

When a person has depression, it can be hard to find the motivation to carry out new or even everyday activities. Get some tips here to help manage this challenge.

Learn if there is a cure for depression.

Depression can have a severe impact on a person’s life, but treatments can reduceTrusted Source symptoms and the length of depression episodes.

The risk of depression returning is higherTrusted Source when the previous episode was more severe. Having other conditions, such as anxiety disorder, may also increase the risk.

Taking steps to prevent or treat each new episode that arises can improve the long-term outlook for people who have depression. People can speak with a doctor about treatment and management strategies.

Depression can return during or after a person’s recovery. Certain factors can increase the risk of depression returning, such as the severity of the last episode, frequency of depression episodes, and other health conditions.

A person can speak with a healthcare professional about treatment options if they are experiencing depression relapse or recurrence.

Management strategies that may help prevent a relapse or recurrence of depression include getting regular exercise or taking part in talk therapies.