General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Depressive episode
A period of depressive symptoms. The term describes a phase, not an individual prognosis. [2]
Drive
Here this means the ability to begin and sustain activities. Reduced drive can be part of depressive symptoms. [1]
Evidence
Research findings whose reliability needs assessment. More about studies and certainty. [7]
Guideline
Professionally developed guidance for care and decisions. It does not replace consideration of individual circumstances. [3]
Placebo
In a medicine trial, for example, a comparison product without the active substance being studied. [5]
Psychotherapy
Professional treatment of mental health problems using methods that vary by approach. Read about the process. [4]
Randomised
Allocated by chance, for example to comparison groups in a study. [5]
Recurrence
The condition returning after improvement. Check the source’s definition for exact timing distinctions. [3]
Remission
Symptoms largely or completely subsiding. Whether and how to continue treatment is a separate question. [3]
Systematic review
Explicitly finding, bringing together and assessing research on a defined question. [6]
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.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 2 ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for diagnostic assessment and the limitations of questionnaires.
- 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.
- IQWiG: Psychotherapy and its process (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Patient information on goals, approaches and initial consultations in Germany. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- IQWiG: Types of studies (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Methods explainer on research questions, comparison groups and random allocation. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- Cochrane: About us ↗
Provider / domain: www.cochrane.org
The organisation explains its systematic reviews; not evidence for a particular depression treatment. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- IQWiG: Principles of evidence-based medicine (German-language source) ↗
Provider / domain: www.gesundheitsinformation.de
Methods explainer on combining research, professional expertise and personal circumstances. 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.