Moderate Depression: Symptoms, Treatment, and Coping

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsModerate Symptoms of DepressionDiagnosisCausesModerate Depression TreatmentsCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Moderate Symptoms of Depression

Diagnosis

Causes

Moderate Depression Treatments

Coping

While everyone feels down from time to time, depression is a serious mental health condition that can make it difficult to function normally. But depression can vary in intensity. How depression is experienced can vary from one person to the next, and the condition can also be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe.

One survey found that among U.S. adults with depression, approximately 20% had mild symptoms, 50% had moderate symptoms, and 30% had severe symptoms.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 19.4 million (or 7.8%) of American adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2019.

Someone with moderate depression may experience symptoms that are more serious in terms of severity and duration than someone with mild depression. They may also experience more symptoms than a person with mild depression does.

However, moderate depression is not listed as a diagnosis in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5). There is no official consensus on whether the number of symptoms is indicative of severity or whether the number of symptoms can be used to classify depression as mild, moderate, or severe.

Descriptions of depression severity are left to the discretion of the clinician, who may usedepression rating scalesto help determine the severity of the condition.

A Verywell Report: Americans Find Strength in Online Therapy

1:39Click Play to Learn More About Living With Depression

1:39

Click Play to Learn More About Living With Depression

Womenare almost twice as likely to experience depression as men. While moderate depression may be less severe, it does cause impairments in work, school, home, or social difficulties.

Research also suggests that moderately severe depression increases certain health risks. One study found that people who were moderately depressed had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those who were severely depressed.

Depression Statistics Everyone Should Know

In order to diagnose your condition, your doctor may perform a physical exam, ask questions about your medical history, and conduct lab tests to help rule out any underlying medical conditions that might be causing or contributing to your symptoms. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is one condition that can lead to symptoms of depression, for example.

Your doctor will also ask questions about the symptoms that you have been experiencing including the type of symptoms you have, how long you have had them, and the degree to which they impact your life in different areas.

In some cases, your doctor may have you fill out a questionnaire to help screen you for depression.

In order to be diagnosed withclinical depression, a person must exhibit at least five of the nine symptoms listed in the DSM-5 during a two-week period.

These symptoms of depression are:

Such symptoms may vary in intensity and duration in someone with moderate depression. They may experience some of these symptoms some weeks, but not others.

Where people with mild depression may be able to carry out their normal daily activities without much impairment, the symptoms of moderate depression are serious enough to create problems with work and home life. People with moderately severe depression may struggle to complete daily tasks or feel fatigued and unmotivated. At work, they may struggle to concentrate on projects. Symptoms can also lead to problems in social relationships as well.

Differential Diagnosis

Your doctor will also want to rule out other mental health conditions that can cause symptoms of depression. Such conditions include:

Distinguishing Between Moderate and Severe Depression

While there is no clear consensus on how to rate the severity of depression, one study found that DSM-5 diagnostic criteria could be used to infer the severity of the condition.

Depressed mood along with the presence of somatic symptoms was an indicator of moderate depression.

People with moderate depression are more likely to experience primary symptoms of low mood, sleep difficulties, weight or appetite changes, and increased/slowed psychomotor activity.

Anhedonia (the loss of interest or pleasure) along with non-somatic symptoms was an indicator of severe depression. Along with losing interest in things that used to be pleasurable, people with severe depression are more likely to experience symptoms such asfeelings of worthlessnessand thoughts of death.

Depression is very common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is the leading cause of ill health and disability globally.

There is no single thing that causes depression. In reality, there are a number of factors that are thought to contribute to the onset of depression. Sex is one factor that can play a role since women experience depression at about twice the rate of men. Other things that can contribute to depression include:

How Cognitive Distortions Fuel Depression

Moderately severe depression may be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that is often used to treat depression. CBT focuses on identifying negative thoughts that contribute to symptoms of depression. Once these thought patterns have been identified, people then work to replace those thoughts with more positive and realistic ways of thinking.

CBT tends to be a shorter-term approach to therapy, so it may involve somewhere between 10 and 20 sessions. During this time, you will also be expected to do homework outside of your therapy sessions. This might involve practicing skills that you have learned during therapy as well as keeping a record of your symptoms, thoughts, and behaviors.

Examples of types of thinking that can contribute to symptoms of moderate depression include:

Through journaling, you can begin to become more aware of these thought patterns and practice new ways of thinking about your experiences and problems. It can also help you replace negative self-talk with more positive self-talk.

Other types of therapy that can be used to treat moderately severe depression include:

Online therapymay also be a good option for some people with moderately severe depression. One study found that guided internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) was effective for reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression.

6 Types of Therapy for Depression

Medications

There are a number of different types of antidepressants that can be used to treat moderately severe depression. The most commonly prescribed are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include medications likeZoloft(sertraline),Prozac(fluoxetine), andPaxil(paroxetine).

While SSRIs are usually the preferred choice because they tend to have fewer side effects, other medications are sometimes prescribed. Other types of antidepressants include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), atypical antidepressants, and tricyclic antidepressants.

All antidepressants carry a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black box warning that their use may cause worsening symptoms and increased suicidal ideation in children, teens, and young adults under the age of 25.

Complementary and Alternative Treatments

There are some alternative remedies that may be helpful for some people who have mild to moderate depression.St. John’s wort, for example, is one herbal supplement that is sometimes used to help alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate depression. While the supplement is not FDA-approved for the treatment of depression, some research suggests that it may help reduce symptoms.

Because St. John’s wort affects serotonin levels in the brain, it can lead to a serious condition known asserotonin syndrome. It can also interact with other medications, including antidepressants. You should always talk to your doctor before trying any complementary treatment such as St. John’s wort.

The Mental Health Benefits of St. John’s Wort

While antidepressants are the most effective choice for people who have severe depression, lifestyle modifications may be a helpful choice for people who have more mild or moderate symptoms.

Get Regular Exercise

Regular physical activity has been shown to help prevent and treat depression. Studies have even shown that exercise can be an effective first-line treatment in cases of mild to moderate depression.

The good news is that you don’t have to become a gym devotee to reap these depression-fighting rewards. Moderate physical activity, such as walking for a total of three hours a week, can help.

Manage Stress Levels

Stress can contribute to and worsen symptoms of moderately severe depression, so finding ways to relax and manage your stress levels can be helpful. One way to do this is to focus on relaxation techniques designed to improve your ability to tolerate and manage distressing emotions.

When faced with distress, people often rely on unhelpful coping mechanisms that can worsen symptoms of depression. Some more helpful strategies include yoga, deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.

Take Care of Yourself

Practicing good self-care can be helpful when coping with symptoms of depression. It is important to remember, however, that depressive symptoms can often make taking care of yourself more difficult. Feeling fatigued, unmotivated, disinterested, and distracted can interfere with normal daily tasks.

While it may require extra effort, doing some of the following can help you feel better:

Try to avoid isolating yourself when you are feeling down. Depression often causes people to withdraw from friends and loved ones, but reaching out to the people who care about you can actually help reduce feelings of depression.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

10 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fournier JC, DeRubeis RJ, Hollon SD, Dimidjian S, Amsterdam JD, Shelton RC, Fawcett J.Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: A patient-level meta-analysis.JAMA. 2010 Jan 6;303(1):47-53. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.1943National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013-2016.Almas A, Forsell Y, Iqbal R, Janszky I, Moller J.Severity of depression, anxious distress and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Swedish population-based cohort.PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140742Tolentino JC, Schmidt SL.DSM-5 criteria and depression severity: Implications for clinical practice.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:450. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00450World Health Organization.“Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health.Jakobsen H, Andersson G, Havik OE, Nordgreen T.Guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for mild and moderate depression: A benchmarking study. Internet Interventions. 2017;7:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2016.11.002Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L.St John’s wort for major depression.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8 (4):CD000448. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3Ranjbar E, Memari AH, Hafizi S, Shayestehfar M, Mirfazeli FS, Eshghi MA.Depression and exercise: A clinical review and management guideline.Asian J Sports Med. 2015;6(2):e24055. doi:10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24055

10 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fournier JC, DeRubeis RJ, Hollon SD, Dimidjian S, Amsterdam JD, Shelton RC, Fawcett J.Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: A patient-level meta-analysis.JAMA. 2010 Jan 6;303(1):47-53. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.1943National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013-2016.Almas A, Forsell Y, Iqbal R, Janszky I, Moller J.Severity of depression, anxious distress and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Swedish population-based cohort.PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140742Tolentino JC, Schmidt SL.DSM-5 criteria and depression severity: Implications for clinical practice.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:450. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00450World Health Organization.“Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health.Jakobsen H, Andersson G, Havik OE, Nordgreen T.Guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for mild and moderate depression: A benchmarking study. Internet Interventions. 2017;7:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2016.11.002Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L.St John’s wort for major depression.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8 (4):CD000448. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3Ranjbar E, Memari AH, Hafizi S, Shayestehfar M, Mirfazeli FS, Eshghi MA.Depression and exercise: A clinical review and management guideline.Asian J Sports Med. 2015;6(2):e24055. doi:10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24055

Fournier JC, DeRubeis RJ, Hollon SD, Dimidjian S, Amsterdam JD, Shelton RC, Fawcett J.Antidepressant drug effects and depression severity: A patient-level meta-analysis.JAMA. 2010 Jan 6;303(1):47-53. doi:10.1001/jama.2009.1943National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013-2016.Almas A, Forsell Y, Iqbal R, Janszky I, Moller J.Severity of depression, anxious distress and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Swedish population-based cohort.PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140742Tolentino JC, Schmidt SL.DSM-5 criteria and depression severity: Implications for clinical practice.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:450. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00450World Health Organization.“Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health.Jakobsen H, Andersson G, Havik OE, Nordgreen T.Guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for mild and moderate depression: A benchmarking study. Internet Interventions. 2017;7:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2016.11.002Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L.St John’s wort for major depression.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8 (4):CD000448. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3Ranjbar E, Memari AH, Hafizi S, Shayestehfar M, Mirfazeli FS, Eshghi MA.Depression and exercise: A clinical review and management guideline.Asian J Sports Med. 2015;6(2):e24055. doi:10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24055

National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. Washington, DC; 2013.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Prevalence of depression among adults aged 20 and over: United States, 2013-2016.

Almas A, Forsell Y, Iqbal R, Janszky I, Moller J.Severity of depression, anxious distress and the risk of cardiovascular disease in a Swedish population-based cohort.PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140742. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0140742

Tolentino JC, Schmidt SL.DSM-5 criteria and depression severity: Implications for clinical practice.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:450. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00450

World Health Organization.“Depression: let’s talk” says WHO, as depression tops list of causes of ill health.

Jakobsen H, Andersson G, Havik OE, Nordgreen T.Guided Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy for mild and moderate depression: A benchmarking study. Internet Interventions. 2017;7:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.invent.2016.11.002

Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L.St John’s wort for major depression.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8 (4):CD000448. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000448.pub3

Ranjbar E, Memari AH, Hafizi S, Shayestehfar M, Mirfazeli FS, Eshghi MA.Depression and exercise: A clinical review and management guideline.Asian J Sports Med. 2015;6(2):e24055. doi:10.5812/asjsm.6(2)2015.24055

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

Click Play to Learn More About Living With Depression#

Differential Diagnosis#

Distinguishing Between Moderate and Severe Depression#

Psychotherapy#

Medications#

Complementary and Alternative Treatments#

Get Regular Exercise#

Manage Stress Levels#

Take Care of Yourself#