General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
What is an episode?
A depressive episode is a period of depressive symptoms. Some people experience one episode; others experience further episodes. [1]
What is remission?
Remission describes symptoms largely or completely subsiding. It is not a guarantee that symptoms will never return. [2]
What do relapse and recurrence mean?
Both concern symptoms returning. Guidelines may distinguish an early relapse from a later new episode. Read the definition and timeframe used by the source. [2][3]
What does persistent or chronic mean?
Some people experience depressive symptoms for a prolonged period. The source describes different patterns. Duration and severity are separate features that need to be considered together. [1]
Why discuss continuing treatment?
After symptoms improve, clinicians may discuss continuing care to support stability or prevent relapse. This article does not specify a personal treatment duration or a stopping plan. [3]
READ FURTHER & CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources and context
How should I interpret these sources?
Source notes identify the provider, their use in this article and known limitations. The source-comparison date below is not the original publication date. No update date is assumed where none is available. General findings cannot automatically be applied to an individual; independent medical review of this draft is pending.
- IQWiG: Forms of depression (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Patient information on different patterns; not an individual prognosis. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 3: Treatment planning ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for shared decisions, treatment goals and involving family members.
- German guideline: Continuation and recurrence prevention (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
Clinical guideline on continuing treatment; individual plans require professional assessment. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
Research and source comparison: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance. Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Independent medical expert review is pending. Independent medical expert review has not taken place.