This question comes up often in therapy and for those who are out of therapy. Some people successfully discharge from therapy but may have episodes of recurrent depression causing them to consider returning to therapy.

Moods fluctuations are a normal part of life according to the US World News Article that asks Is My Depression Getting Worse? Trained therapists know how to assess your improvement or decline while you are in treatment with screenings or more extensive objective personality tests. Symptoms of depression can vary across individuals and the severity of those symptoms also vary. The article lists these common symptoms:

Changes in mood, changes in appetite, an overall sense of sadness, a lack of pleasure in things or activities that were previously enjoyable, a greater sense of irritability, a general disinterest in speding time with others, preferring to isolate instead, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.

Other symptoms may also be lack of energy, changes in sleep patterns from insomnia to hypersomnia, changes in concentration, loss of self-worth and excessive guilt.

Therapists will measure and track the intensity of these feelings or symptoms over time. You should also pay attention to any changes in intensity if you are deciding to return to therapy, seeking counseling, or seeking more support.

Depression can definitely get worse according to Charmain Jackman, a psychologist quoted in the article.

Both Dr. Jackson and Jay Fournier, the Director of the Mood and Anxiety Program at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center agree that depression can worsen, especially for people don’t get treatment. Fournier stated that worsening of the depression can happen at any point including at the start of depressive episode. Sometimes, it can be tied to a particular event and sometimes there is no obvious reason. In our group, we do try to help clients learn the cycles of their depression and indentify precursors to changes in mood or changes in severity of the syptoms. It could be seasonal or it could be the anniversary of distressing events or the holidays, etc.

Your depression may be worsening if your symptoms intensify, become more frequent and last longer according to the article.

If you are experiencing worsening symptoms, talk to your primary care physician or seek counseling through your insurance’s provider directory. If you do not have insurance and are employed, ask about Employee Assistance Programs that may provide 5-10 free sessions to get you started in treatment. Please know that you will likely need to continue and discuss a payment plan with your provider. You can also look at community mental health agencies in your area that provide sliding scale payment plans.

If you are in treatment, discuss your worsening symptoms with your provider. Treatment plans can always be adjusted to better suit your needs.

If you ae in crisis there are crisis lines that are available 24/7 to help you through the roughest hours until you can get care.

Here is the Suicide Hotline 800-273-8255

Veterans may also call 800-273-8255 and press 1

You can text TALK to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741