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 Methylphenidate
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 Lorazepam
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen Gabapentin
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amitriptyline Trazodone Zolpidem
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, insomnia, fatigue, and pain) 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)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
63
Tried for
mild depression (50) Depressed mood (24)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
60
Tried for
mild depression (40) Depressed mood (28)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
53
Tried for
mild depression (38) Depressed mood (19)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
53
Tried for
mild depression (38) Depressed mood (22)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
46
Tried for
mild depression (30) Depressed mood (24)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
44
Tried for
mild depression (29) Depressed mood (23)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
40
Tried for
mild depression (28) Depressed mood (22)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
39
Tried for
mild depression (36) Depressed mood (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
34
Tried for
Pain (21) Insomnia (17)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
27
Tried for
Pain (27)
Data from patients with mild depression, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Compare treatments taken by people with mild depression

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

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (20 evaluations)
Side effects
Weight gain Decreased sex drive (libido) 15 more
Total evaluations
32
Tried for
mild depression (50) Depressed mood (24)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (19 evaluations)
Side effects
Diarrhea Anxious mood 18 more
Total evaluations
33
Tried for
mild depression (40) Depressed mood (28)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (16 evaluations)
Side effects
Anorexia (appetite loss) Anxious mood 16 more
Total evaluations
26
Tried for
mild depression (38) Depressed mood (19)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (28 evaluations)
Side effects
Drowsiness Feeling sick 18 more
Total evaluations
44
Tried for
mild depression (38) Depressed mood (22)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (16 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Decreased sex drive (libido) 17 more
Total evaluations
34
Tried for
mild depression (30) Depressed mood (24)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (16 evaluations)
Side effects
Weight gain Decreased sex drive (libido) 27 more
Total evaluations
32
Tried for
mild depression (29) Depressed mood (23)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (19 evaluations)
Side effects
Nausea Anxious mood 25 more
Total evaluations
37
Tried for
mild depression (28) Depressed mood (22)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (15 evaluations)
Side effects
Disappointment generalized anxiety disorder
Total evaluations
18
Tried for
mild depression (36) Depressed mood (4)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Elavil)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (21 evaluations)
Side effects
Dry mouth Excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) 14 more
Total evaluations
37
Tried for
Pain (21) Insomnia (17)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Perceived effectiveness
for Pain (9 evaluations)
Side effects
Constipation Drowsiness 6 more
Total evaluations
9
Tried for
Pain (27)
  • 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.
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Who has mild depression on PatientsLikeMe?

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 51
20s 822
30s 1,076
40s 1,199
50s 1,085
60s 553
70+ 141
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 983
20-29 years 663
30-39 years 505
40-49 years 279
50-59 years 95
60-69 years 19
70+ years 4

Sex

Distribution of sex

76% Female
24% Male
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2,672
Not Diagnosed 599
These charts show data from mild depression patients who have completed their condition history
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