Mild depression

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What is mild depression?

Mild depression is characterized by 2 to 4 depressive symptoms which may include depressed mood, reduction of energy, capacity for enjoyment, and concentration that lasts for more than 2 weeks. The patient is usually distressed by these but will probably be able to continue with most activities.

Common symptoms reported by people with mild depression

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Individual Therapy Meditation Relaxation Techniques
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Modafinil Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Vitamin B Complex
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Sertraline Duloxetine Citalopram
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Clonazepam Alprazolam Escitalopram
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Gabapentin
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
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Treatments taken by people with mild depression

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
36
Tried for
depressed mood (20) mild depression (19)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
31
Tried for
mild depression (20) depressed mood (16)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
30
Tried for
mild depression (26) depressed mood (12)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
29
Tried for
mild depression (22) depressed mood (9)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
29
Tried for
depressed mood (18) mild depression (14)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
28
Tried for
mild depression (16) depressed mood (12)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
27
Tried for
depressed mood (14) mild depression (14)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
17
Tried for
pain (15) anxious mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
17
Tried for
mild depression (14) depressed mood (3)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
15
Tried for
pain (15)
Data from patients with mild depression, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
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Compare treatments taken by people with mild depression

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (9 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea abdominal cramps 17 more
Total evaluations
23
Tried for
depressed mood (20) mild depression (19)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (6 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness increased energy 5 more
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
mild depression (20) depressed mood (16)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (20 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea anxious mood 23 more
Total evaluations
32
Tried for
mild depression (26) depressed mood (12)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (14 evaluations)
Side effects
chest pressure decreased appetite 13 more
Total evaluations
21
Tried for
mild depression (22) depressed mood (9)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (15 evaluations)
Side effects
drowsiness cognitive confusion 24 more
Total evaluations
27
Tried for
depressed mood (18) mild depression (14)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (14 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea apathy 11 more
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
mild depression (16) depressed mood (12)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for depressed mood (8 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation dry mouth 13 more
Total evaluations
19
Tried for
depressed mood (14) mild depression (14)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (7 evaluations)
Side effects
anxious mood dizziness 6 more
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
pain (15) anxious mood (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (10 evaluations)
Side effects
disappointment generalized anxiety disorder
Total evaluations
13
Tried for
mild depression (14) depressed mood (3)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (4 evaluations)
Side effects
excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) mood swings 3 more
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
pain (15)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with mild depression, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Who has mild depression on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 60
20s 719
30s 1308
40s 1386
50s 1306
60s 794
70+ 246
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1049
20-29 years 695
30-39 years 527
40-49 years 287
50-59 years 102
60-69 years 19
70+ years 4

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1377
Female 4460
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 3002
Not Diagnosed 618
These charts show data from mild depression patients who have completed their condition history
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