That is an interesting question. I would say that there are various levels of depression. Not sure about stages of it, though.
In any case, I think that any and all stages of depression sucks purple donkey dicks, as my husband used to say!

that is a good question..i would guess that yes...mild..to severe...i feel them...mine is always lurking, even when i feel good.

what ever this is it sucks! I feel like crap...
I hate taking medication and in the last two weeks I've gone from not taking any meds to taking 8 different meds!!!...
and everytime I take them...I just feel worse...instead of feeling better!!!

I want to be alone, but I can't I have so many obligations that I can't just disappear! BUT...I don't have the energy to do anything...All I want to do is sleep!!!...

I'm shaking...having hot flashes...feel lightheaded...my blood pressure has sort of regulated back to normal but I still feel worse than I did when it was above stroke level...bottom line is this: I FEEL LIKE SHIT!!! and I hate feeling like this...It only reinforces the fact that i am a utter failure!!!

UGH!!!

Oh yes the stages of depression. But the trick is to recognise them. which sady i still dont.

"Are there stages of depression?"

My case yes..I started out crying, at times, for no apparent reason..had very high anxiety levels. That migrated to decreased levels of crying/anxiety but an increase in self-hate..That has elevated now to high levels of self-hate, low self-esteem, worthlessness, etc.
Feelings of hopelessness, despair, and helplessness was the common theme during all stages..

interesting....

so I don't think I have been at the self hate part...I have a very high opinion of my self for very humble reasons...however...I do have low self esteem and isolation issues...does that make sense...

I am going through a severe depressed state right now because of others and all I really want is to be alone! ALL ALONE...cause I know that I am better than all this and that I can do anything and everything I want to do...but...others don't see that...I have to do it all myself because no one loves me as much as I love myself...

REALLY? Am I just crazy or what? cause seriously, these are my racing thoughts....

Yes, I honestly think depression goes in stages. A few days ago I was depressed, then the next day it was really bad, and again the next day after that, it was beyond belief and I couldn't function. Then last night I decided that whatever time I woke up, I was going to get up, walk my dog, and get my car washed before it got too hot. Well, I woke up at 6:00, got up, and did exactly what I said I was going to do the night before I went to sleep. Today I wasn't depressed, I was my ornery self as usual. Would rather be that way. But back to your point, I do believe that we do have different stages of depression. I just wish they wouldn't last so long! I hope when you get this, you are feeling like I am now.

I don't know about stages, but there are different types.

Major depression - severe
Bipolar depression
Dysthymic Depression - mild
Cyclothymic depression- mood swings from mild depression to low-intensity mania.
Postnatal
Seasonal affective disorder.

But if I had to come up with stages, I would say sometimes it starts off mild and slowly progresses, without treatment and sometimes with treatment, to severe darkness and extreme mood changes. It just seems depression can be mild or can become life-altering. Either way, I hope you get to feeling better!!