Key features of depression and its management in general practice. "..I had this once before.." Which of the following statements are true in relation to recurrent depression? 1. The interval between episodes tends to be fairly constant. 2. The average person suffers about ten episodes over a lifetime. 3. The average person with bipolar disorder suffers fewer episodes, on average, over a lifetime, than a person with unipolar disease. 4. The first episode of depression (that later becomes recurrent) is rarely associated with a clear environmental stress. 5. Most people who have their first episode of depression in adolescence will have at least one more episode in the next five years. Back Next