Depression, in all its varieties, is very treatable. The tragic part about this illness is, by definition those afflicted with it, either don't believe they are worthy of treatment, or they believe that no treatment will work for them. Both of these ideas are completely wrong, but they are, in themselves, symptoms of the depression.

   Physiologically, depression can be treated with medications known as anti-depressants. These will raise the levels of various neurotransmitters, thus relieving some of the symptoms. Also they help give the person a bit more control over their emotions and thoughts, which goes a long way to alleviating the illness altogether. Over the past few years, a lot has been said about anti-depressants. They're alternately vilified as inducing--rather than alleviating--psychosis, and as absolute cure-alls. In fact, they are neither. They do not "cause" people to become psychotic, or suicidal, as some news stories on Prozac (probably the most famous anti-depressant) claim. In cases like this, it's much more likely that the medication just didn't work as well as expected. And they are not cure-alls, since they are not "happy pills" which suddenly provide a euphoric state. When they work, they simply take the "edge" off of one's mood, and do not altogether eliminate depression. Rather, they make depressed moments shorter, and less frequent. It's best to think of these medications as helpers or guides, rather than as cures.

   Psychologically, therapy is a great help. There are several types of therapy available for depression. Different types of therapy work differently on various patients. For the most part, cognitive and behavioral therapies work best. Cognitive therapy helps the patient examine his or her thought processes, allowing him or her to uncover erroneous ideas, assumptions, and so forth. Behavioral therapy helps the patient understand his or her actions, so that he or she can correct behaviors which result from, or contribute to, depression. Both therapies involve raising self-esteem, which is a great help. Often, a therapist will incorporate components of both of these therapies in sessions with a patient, depending on his or her needs at the time. (This is called an eclectic approach--eclectic meaning simply that different techniques from different therapies, are used.)

   Most depression patients require both medication and therapy. Nearly all will benefit from at least a little therapy, and many benefit from medication. It's a mistake, however, to rely solely on medication to relieve depression. In the long run, I've never known this to work. At some point, therapy is usually necessary, and there are a number of patients who are helped only by therapy, without need of medication at all.

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