The 5 Stages of Depression Explained by Mental Health Experts
Depression is not just sadness—it’s a layered emotional, psychological, and physical experience that unfolds over time. For many people, it doesn’t arrive suddenly, nor does it leave overnight. It evolves through distinct phases that can help mental health professionals—and individuals themselves—recognize where they are in their healing process. In clinical practice, understanding the stages of depression allows both therapist and client to chart a roadmap toward recovery. It also normalizes the ups and downs that often accompany healing. Depression isn’t linear; it’s cyclical, with moments of progress and relapse. At I Got U Corp, our licensed clinicians believe that education is a powerful first step in healing. This guide breaks down the five stages of depression—what they look like, what they feel like, and how to cope at every level. Understanding Depression: More Than Just Sadness Before exploring its stages, it’s important to clarify what depression is and isn’t. Depression is ...
