Study, May/17: "Duration of major and minor depressive episodes and...."

The full title of this Dutch study is "Duration of major and minor depressive episodes and associated risk indicators in a psychiatric epidemiological cohort study of the general population".

"RESULTS:"

"Among MDD cases, median episode duration was 6 months, mean duration was 10.7 months, and 12% had not recovered at 36 months. Longer duration was associated with comorbid dysthymia, anxiety disorder, psychotropic medication use (i.e. antidepressants or benzodiazepines prescribed by a mental health professional), mental health care use and suicidal behaviour. Better physical and mental functioning before depression onset predicted shorter duration. Among MinDD cases, shorter median duration (3 months) but similar mean duration (8.7 months), risk of chronicity (10% not recovered at 36 months) and risk indicators for episode duration were found."

It is interesting to note that "longer duration was associated with.....psychotropic medication", such as antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28512767