Depressive episode
A depressive episode is a bounded period of depressive symptoms that meets diagnostic criteria (usually those for MDD), with an identifiable start and — in most cases — end. Depression tends to occur in episodes over a lifetime rather than as a permanent state.
The first episode often occurs in adolescence or young adulthood, but it can happen at any age. After a first episode, the risk of a second is 50–60%; after two episodes, the risk of a third rises to 70–80%. That's why treatment aims not just at current remission but also at preventing relapse.
During an episode, the subjective experience is usually "this will never end" — a characteristic cognitive distortion of depression. With treatment, most episodes remit within weeks to months. Severity can vary: mild, moderate, or severe (with or without psychotic features).
Practical example
Marcos is in what his psychiatrist called a "moderate depressive episode." He's had symptoms for two months: yesterday he couldn't get himself to go to work, he feels no pleasure in anything, and he's sleeping poorly. He knows he had a similar episode five years ago that resolved with treatment. His doctor explained that recognizing early warning signs helps him intervene faster in future episodes.
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