Chronic Depression Defined The trademarks of chronic depression entail periods of sadness lasting for more than two weeks and for some individuals, as long as two years. In addition, individuals suffering from chronic depression experience more frequent and severe symptoms than those with situational depression. According to a psychologist who has treated celebrities with depression in China and Hong Kong, celebrities are more prone to suffering from mental health disorders like depression and end up suicidal or killing themselves that the rest of us.