Major depressive disorder

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

What is major depressive disorder?

Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is marked by depressed mood, inactivity, lack of interest, insomnia, feelings of worthlessness, diminished ability to think, and may include thoughts of suicide.



Common symptoms reported by people with major depressive disorder

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it

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.
Last updated:



Treatments taken by people for major depressive disorder

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

(Wellbutrin)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
16,105
Tried for
major depressive disorder (102)
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
19,141
Tried for
major depressive disorder (85)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
11,837
Tried for
major depressive disorder (74)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
15,502
Tried for
major depressive disorder (72)
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
10,556
Tried for
major depressive disorder (63)
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
18,383
Tried for
major depressive disorder (53)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Type
Psychotherapy
How many have tried
23,587
Tried for
major depressive disorder (49)
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
10,809
Tried for
major depressive disorder (24)

Data from patients with major depressive disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:


Compare treatments taken by people with major depressive disorder

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

(Wellbutrin)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (48 evaluations)
Side effects
nausea hyperactivity 29 more
Total evaluations
48
Tried for
major depressive disorder (102)
Treatment name(s)

(Zoloft)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (33 evaluations)
Side effects
decreased appetite decreased sex drive (libido) 33 more
Total evaluations
34
Tried for
major depressive disorder (85)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (40 evaluations)
Side effects
abdominal pain bladder problems 13 more
Total evaluations
40
Tried for
major depressive disorder (74)
Treatment name(s)

(Effexor XR)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (28 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness insomnia 30 more
Total evaluations
28
Tried for
major depressive disorder (72)
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (30 evaluations)
Side effects
brain fog diarrhea 30 more
Total evaluations
30
Tried for
major depressive disorder (63)
Treatment name(s)

(Prozac)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (26 evaluations)
Side effects
headaches nausea 16 more
Total evaluations
27
Tried for
major depressive disorder (53)
Treatment name(s)

(Talk therapy)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (19 evaluations)
Side effects
flashbacks
Total evaluations
20
Tried for
major depressive disorder (49)
Treatment name(s)

(Celexa)
Perceived effectiveness
for major depressive disorder (11 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness increased sleepiness 3 more
Total evaluations
11
Tried for
major depressive disorder (24)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None

Data from patients with major depressive disorder, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.
Last updated:



Who has major depressive disorder on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 100 new patients joined this month
  • 34,867 say MDD is their primary condition

Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 156
20s 3,143
30s 8,463
40s 13,585
50s 17,649
60s 14,193
70+ 4,807
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 8,858
20-29 years 3,727
30-39 years 2,744
40-49 years 1,749
50-59 years 611
60-69 years 116
70+ years 21

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 13,261
Female 48,722

Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 23,973
Not Diagnosed 2,337

These charts show data from MDD patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: