'Here today, gone tomorrow' - what happened to recurrent brief depression?

Over twenty years ago, an editorial in this journal called for further studies of the epidemiological and psychopathological characteristics of 'recurrent brief depression' in clinical samples in primary and secondary care settings. At that time, relatively little was known about the epidemiology or potential neuropsychobiology of the condition, and no evidence-based treatments had been identified. Two decades have passed, but there have been no substantial developments in understanding in the last ten years. The seeming withdrawal from research into recurrent brief depression is regrettable, given widespread concerns about the burden of depressive symptoms in young people. It seems reasonable to call once again for further investigations in clinical samples, this time with a focus on younger individuals.