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Diagnosis and clinical terms

Remission

Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, board-certified psychiatrist and the reviewer of this article.

Reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA·Updated March 15, 2026·About 3 minutes

About this term

Quick definition
A period during which a person has few or no symptoms of depression and is functioning at or near baseline.
Full clinical definition
In the Frank-Kupfer consensus framework (Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1991), remission is the state in which a patient is no longer fully symptomatic but has not yet maintained that state long enough to be called recovered. In symptom-tracking terms, remission is commonly defined as a PHQ-9 score below 5 or a Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score of 7 or lower, sustained over two or more visits. Recovery is generally defined as remission sustained for four or more months.
Epidemiology
In the STAR*D trial, about one in three patients with major depressive disorder reached remission on the first medication tried; cumulative remission across four sequential treatment steps reached about 67 percent (Rush et al., Am J Psychiatry, 2006). Most patients who reach remission still have one or more residual symptoms (commonly sleep disturbance, fatigue, or concentration problems), which is why ongoing follow-up matters.
What it can feel like
A return of energy, sleep, appetite, and interest. Routine tasks become possible again without the same effort. Mood lifts, often last. Many patients describe the early weeks of remission as cautious; the change is welcome but not yet trusted. Some residual symptoms (mild sleep disruption, mild fatigue, mild concentration problems) often persist for weeks after mood has improved.
Why it matters
Remission, rather than partial symptom reduction, is the usual goal of treatment. Patients who reach remission have lower rates of relapse, better function, and better long-term outcomes than patients who reach only partial response. Settling for "better but not well" is one of the most common drivers of long-term, partially treated depression.
How clinicians assess it
PHQ-9 tracked at each visit is the most common tool. Two consecutive PHQ-9 scores below 5 is a common threshold. A clinician also asks about function (work, school, relationships, self-care) and about residual symptoms.
Treatment implications
Once remission is reached, the same medication and dose that produced it is usually continued for at least six months in the continuation phase, to lower the risk of relapse. For people with recurrent depression, maintenance treatment for one to two years or longer is often considered. Sustained remission lowers the risk of future episodes, and a written relapse plan helps catch any early return of symptoms.
Related terms
Relapse. Major depressive disorder. Treatment-resistant depression. Medication management.
Related articles
Treatment.

Sources

  • Frank E, Prien RF, Jarrett RB, et al. Conceptualization and rationale for consensus definitions of terms in major depressive disorder: remission, recovery, relapse, and recurrence. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1991.
  • Rush AJ, et al. Acute and longer-term outcomes in depressed outpatients requiring one or several treatment steps: a STAR*D report. Am J Psychiatry. 2006.
  • American Psychiatric Association. Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder.

Frequently asked questions

What does remission mean in depression?
Remission is the resolution of a depressive episode to a near-normal level of symptoms. Operationally, remission is often defined as a PHQ-9 score below 5 or a comparable threshold on a clinician-rated scale. Recovery is the term for sustained remission, usually for at least four to six months.
Why is full remission the goal, not just response?
Response means a meaningful reduction in symptoms (often a 50 percent drop on a rating scale). Remission means symptoms are essentially gone. Patients who reach remission have lower relapse rates and better functioning at work, school, and in relationships than patients who only reach response.
How often do patients reach remission?
About one in three patients with major depressive disorder reach remission on the first medication tried, and about half show a meaningful response (STAR*D, 2006). Most patients who do not remit on the first medication respond to a switch, a dose change, or an addition. With persistent care, most people reach remission.
How long should treatment continue after remission?
After a first episode, most clinicians continue antidepressants for six to twelve months after symptoms resolve and then reassess. After multiple episodes, longer maintenance is often recommended. Stopping is a clinician-supervised decision because abrupt discontinuation increases the risk of relapse.

Last reviewed March 15, 2026.

Every clinical page on DepressionResource.org is written in plain language, dated, and reviewed by a board-certified psychiatrist against current clinical guidelines. See our editorial standards and medical review process.