Depression Treatment Options

: Natasha Tracy

Depression treatment does work. Get detailed info on all treatments for depression including medication, therapy, alternative depression treatments.

Effective depression treatments are available today and help many people dealing with this serious mental health condition.

Depression is a common, treatable mental illness that affects millions of people in the United States every year. Researchers estimate more than 12 million women and 6 million men are affected by depression in any given year. Depression treatment options include: medical, self-help psychotherapeutic and alternative techniques. No one depression treatment is right for everyone, but with treatment, most people experience a significant reduction in depression symptoms.

Medication for the Treatment of Depression

Antidepressants are the most common medication used in depression treatment and are indicated particularly in the treatment of severe depression. One type of antidepressant, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), is typically the first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe depression. SSRIs alter a chemical messenger (serotonin) in the brain. SSRIs are generally prescribed first as they are proven effective and carry fewer risks of side effects than other medications for the treatment of depression. Other types of antidepressants include:

Tricyclic antidepressants – older antidepressants, typically only used if other types have failed
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors – older antidepressants that require dietary changes

In-depth information on antidepressant medications for depression starts here.

Therapy and Self-Help Depression Treatment

Therapy is often the first choice of depression treatment in mild to moderate cases of depression. Several types of therapy have been proven effective in the treatment of depression. They include:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – short-term therapy designed to address faulty and illogical thought patterns contributing to depression
Interpersonal therapy – short-term therapy designed to address maladaptive patterns in situations and relationships
Psychodynamic therapy – long-term therapy designed to alleviate deeper issues underlying depression
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) – therapy designed to work through traumatic memories

Self-help depression treatment can be found in books and online. Depression or other mental health support groups can also offer self-paced treatment for depression.

Learn more about: Depression Therapy.

Neurostimulation Depression Treatment

Neurostimulation depression treatments involve the modulation and stimulation of parts of the brain. Neurostimulation is typically accomplished through the use of an electrical current but can also use a strong magnetic field. Neurostimulation treatments for depression include:

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) – an electrical current is applied to the brain while the patient is sedated
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) – an implanted generator sends an electrical current to the vagus nerve of the patient at set intervals
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) – a rapidly changing magnetic field is created outside the patient's skull

Alternative Depression Treatments

Alternative treatments for depression include herbs, supplements and mind-body techniques. Alternative depression treatments are often used in conjunction with more traditional treatments like medication and therapy. Alternative treatments for depression include: