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Preposition before noun

Prepositions used with depression

Depression combines with different prepositions depending on meaning. Some combinations describe a cause, some describe treatment, and some are not standard.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with depression?

Common combinations include depression from something, depression over something, treatment for depression, and a return to depression. Depression with is usually used when another condition exists together with depression. Depression of is uncommon except in specialised contexts such as economic depression of an industry.

She experienced depression from prolonged stress.
The clinic offers counselling for depression.
He struggled with depression for years.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
depression from + cause

Showing what caused the depression

Use from to identify a reason or trigger.

Many people experience depression from isolation.
She developed depression from financial pressure.
2
treatment for depression

Talking about care or support

Use for when referring to treatment, medicine, or help.

He started therapy for depression last year.
The hospital runs a programme for depression in teenagers.
3
with depression

Describing someone who has the condition

With often follows verbs such as live, struggle, or cope.

She has lived with depression since university.
Many adults struggle with depression in silence.
4
to depression

Showing movement toward a depressed state

To is used after verbs such as return, lead, or contribute.

The crisis led to depression and anxiety.
He returned to depression after the accident.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
depression from
She suffered from depression from chronic stress.
Shows the cause or source of the condition.
with depression
He has been living with depression for years.
Describes a person who has the condition.
for depression
The doctor prescribed medication for depression.
Shows purpose or treatment.
to depression
Isolation can lead to depression.
Shows a result or change of state.
of depression
The economic depression of the 1930s affected millions.
Possible in other meanings of depression, but not common for the medical condition.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of depression for the illness

Of depression is usually not natural when talking about mental health.

✕ She suffers of depression. ✓ She suffers from depression.

Confusing with depression and depression with

With depression usually follows a verb. Depression with is used only when adding another feature or condition.

✕ Depression with many adults is increasing. ✓ Depression among many adults is increasing.

Using to depression after suffer

Suffer normally takes from, not to.

✕ He suffers to depression. ✓ He suffers from depression.

Using for depression to mean cause

For depression usually means treatment or purpose, not cause.

✕ She developed depression for stress. ✓ She developed depression from stress.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She received counselling ___ depression.
2. Long periods of isolation can lead ___ depression.
3. He has been living ___ depression since college.

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Frequently asked questions

Is suffer of depression correct?

No. Standard English uses suffer from depression.

Can I say depression with anxiety?

Yes. Depression with anxiety means the two conditions occur together.

Is depression of common?

Not for the medical condition. It appears more often with the economic meaning of depression.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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