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
58
Tried for
mild depression (34) depressed mood (31)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
55
Tried for
mild depression (42) depressed mood (21)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

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

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
46
Tried for
mild depression (28) depressed mood (22)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
42
Tried for
mild depression (25) depressed mood (24)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
41
Tried for
mild depression (24) depressed mood (23)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
38
Tried for
mild depression (28) depressed mood (20)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
27
Tried for
mild depression (24) depressed mood (3)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
25
Tried for
pain (25)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
24
Tried for
pain (22) anxious mood (3)
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)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (19 evaluations)
Side effects
diarrhea insomnia 18 more
Total evaluations
38
Tried for
mild depression (34) depressed mood (31)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (15 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) depression did not improve 11 more
Total evaluations
27
Tried for
mild depression (42) depressed mood (21)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Wellbutrin XL)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (18 evaluations)
Side effects
insomnia anorexia (appetite loss) 18 more
Total evaluations
30
Tried for
mild depression (38) depressed mood (19)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (26 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) diarrhea 26 more
Total evaluations
48
Tried for
mild depression (28) depressed mood (22)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (15 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased sex drive (libido) weight gain 34 more
Total evaluations
33
Tried for
mild depression (25) depressed mood (24)
1 more
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (13 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation decreased sex drive (libido) 9 more
Total evaluations
27
Tried for
mild depression (24) depressed mood (23)
3 more
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (22 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea anxious mood 24 more
Total evaluations
36
Tried for
mild depression (28) depressed mood (20)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for mild depression (13 evaluations)
Side effects
disappointment generalized anxiety disorder
Total evaluations
16
Tried for
mild depression (24) depressed mood (3)
2 more
Treatment name(s)

(Ultram)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (7 evaluations)
Side effects
constipation excessive daytime sleepiness (somnolence) 6 more
Total evaluations
7
Tried for
pain (25)
Treatment name(s)

(Neurontin)
Perceived effectiveness
for pain (8 evaluations)
Side effects
fatigue anxious mood 6 more
Total evaluations
8
Tried for
pain (22) anxious mood (3)
  • 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 56
20s 792
30s 1,174
40s 1,306
50s 1,188
60s 654
70+ 171
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 1,016
20-29 years 673
30-39 years 510
40-49 years 284
50-59 years 96
60-69 years 19
70+ years 4

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 1,247
Female 4,103
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 2,884
Not Diagnosed 608
These charts show data from mild depression patients who have completed their condition history
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