Numerous depression treatments are available to anyone living with depressive disorders, whether their illness is mild, moderate, or severe.  The following information is an overview of the many depression treatment options available to you. As you learn about these depression treatments, consider your goals for overcoming depression, your personality and what you are likely to respond to, and how depression symptoms are interfering in your life. When you purposefully select treatments for your depression, your chances of steady success increase.

As you’re trying different types of depression treatments, you might create a depression treatment plan. Often, these are official documents created by a doctor or therapist with your involvement. Sometimes, family members are involved in the creation of a treatment plan, too. A depression treatment plan gives you structure and concrete steps to follow. These are helpful for anyone and are a must when depression is severe. Typically, treatment plans address:

• Physical, mental, and spiritual self-care
• Sources of support and how to draw on them
• Healthy lifestyle habits
• Medication schedules (if applicable)
• Therapy schedules (if applicable)

Your depression treatment plan might include any of the following depression treatment options.

List of Depression Treatments Available

Over time, researchers and other mental health professionals have been (and continue to be) dedicated to finding methods that help people with depressive disorders. Several categories have emerged, including:

• Antidepressant medication
• Therapy
• Brain stimulation
• Complementary and alternative treatments

Let’s look at a brief description of each one.

Depression Treatments: Medication

Depression medication helps the brain return to its healthy, balanced state of functioning. It works to restore the balance in the brain’s neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

The most-prescribed antidepressants are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These prescription medications are SSRIs:

• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Celexa (citalopram)
• Lexapro (escitalopram)

Other categories of antidepressants that are less commonly prescribed are

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs)
• Atypical antipsychotics (also called second-generation antipsychotics)
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

While depression medication can be effective in reducing symptoms, it isn’t a quick fix. Because of the almost staggering variety of options, it can take time for your doctor to discover the right type and dose. Every time you try a new medication, it can take two- to four weeks to tell if it is making a difference. Then, it takes around three months for the full effect.

Often, medication isn’t used as the sole treatment for depression but is combined with other depression treatments for maximum positive effect.

(Editor's note: Explore Ketamine as an antidepressant)

Therapy as a Depression Treatment

Working with a mental health therapist can be extremely beneficial in overcoming depression. You get to explore things that may be causing or perpetuating your illness, and you learn coping skills and strategies that you can use immediately to begin feeling better.

Different types of therapy for depression exist. These have been shown by research studies to be effective for depression:

• Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT): an approach that helps you recognize and change negative thinking patterns as well as build coping skills
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT): involves working on personal problems, especially those involving relationships and other people
• Psychodynamic therapy: the focus is on negative behavior patterns and feelings that arise from the past
• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT): combines CBT with mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing

Depression Treatment Option: Brain Stimulation

These treatment methods involve using electricity or magnetic fields to either activate or inhibit areas of the brain. They’re done intentionally and safely and are far removed from the shock therapy of nearly a century ago. Types of brain stimulation treatments currently in use for depression treatment include:

• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Of these, ECT is the most common.

Alternative and Complementary Treatments

These approaches either offer an alternate type of depression treatment and thus take the place of the traditional treatments listed above, or they are used in conjunction with those traditional treatments, complementing their effectiveness. Some examples of these depression treatment options are:

• Supplements such as vitamins and herbs
• Acupuncture
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Tai Chi
• Massage
• Healthy lifestyle habits
• Behavioral activation (doing more of what works, more rewarding activities)

Depression is a highly individualized illness, which means that each person experiences it uniquely. By extension, depression treatments are unique to each person, too. This is good as it will help you find treatments that fit. The drawback is that there are so many options that finding the right combination is a process.

Don’t give up on treatment. When one thing doesn’t work well for you, try something else. Do be willing, though, to give depression treatment options a chance. Almost every type of treatment requires time to begin working. As it does, you’ll experience success that will build on itself as you climb up out of depression.

article references

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Depression Facts – Depression Statistics

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Causes of Depression

Causes of Depression: What Causes Depression?

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What Caused the Depression?

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Causes of Depression: What Causes Depression?

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Is Depression Genetic or Hereditary?

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determinants of depression: Recent findings and future directions. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 23(1), 1-18. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4309382/

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Is Depression a Chemical Imbalance?

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Rathje, S. (2018). Don’t say that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance. Psychology Today. Retrieved December 2019 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/words-matter/201808/dont-say-depression-is-caused-chemical-imbalance

Tyrrell, M. & Elliott, R. (n.d.). Medical causes of depression. clinical-depression.co.uk. Retrieved December 2019 from https://www.clinical-depression.co.uk/dlp/depression-information/medical-causes-of-depression/

How to Manage Having Depression for No Reason

Peterson, T.J. (2013). Break Free: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 3 Steps. Berkeley: Althea
Press.

Schimelpfening, N. (2019). How can a person be depressed for no reason? verywell mind. Retrieved
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Are There Such Things as Depression Hormones?

Brazier, Y. (2017, May 25). What you need to know about HRT. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/181726.php

Depression, the thyroid, and hormones. (2019, March 22). Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-the-thyroid-and-hormones#1

Gabbey, A. E. (2017, June 19). Causes of Depression. Retrieved from:  https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/causes#causes

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019, March 19). Stress management. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037

Molaie, A. M. & Maguire, J. (2018). Neuroendocrine abnormalities following traumatic brain injury: An important contributor to neuropsychiatric sequelae. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 9, 176. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00176

Tan, C. L., Alavi, S. A., Baldeweg, S. E., Belli, A., Carson, A., Feeney, C., Goldstone, A. P., Greenwood, R., Menon, D. K., Simpson, H. L., Toogood, A. A., Gurnell, M. & Hutchinson, P. J. (2017). The screening and management of pituitary dysfunction following traumatic brain injury in adults: British neurotrauma group guidance. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 88(11), 971-981. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2016-315500

Why Does Depression on My Birthday Happen Every Year?

Dittmann, M. (2003, May). Fighting ageism. Monitor on Psychology, 34(5), 50. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/may03/fighting

Mayo Clinic Health System. (2017, May 18). Helping people, changing lives: The 6 health benefits of volunteering. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/helping-people-changing-lives-the-6-health-benefits-of-volunteering

Can You Get Depression from Social Media?

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Heffer, T., Good, M., Daly, O., MacDonell, E., & Willoughby, T. (2019). The longitudinal association between social media use and depressive symptoms among adolescents and young adults: An empirical reply to Twenge et al. (2018). Clinical Psychological Science, 7(3), 462-470. https://doi.org/10.1177/2167702618812727

Kross, E., Verduyn, P., Demiralp, E., Park, J., Lee, D. S., Lin, N., & Ybarra, O. (2013). Facebook use predicts declines in subjective well‐being in young adults. PLoS ONE, 8(8), 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0069841

Lin, L. Y., Sidani, J. E., Shensa, A., Radovic, A., Miller, E., Colditz, J. B., & Primack, B. A. (2016). Association between social media use and depression among U.S. young adults. Depression and Anxiety, 33(4), 323–331. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22466

Melissa G. Hunt, Rachel Marx, Courtney Lipson, and Jordyn Young (2018). No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 37(10), 751-768.
https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751

Merolli, M., Gray, K., & Martin‐Sanchez, F. (2014). Therapeutic affordances of social media: Emergent themes from a global online survey of people with Chronic Pain. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16(12), e284. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.3494

Radovic, A., Gmelin, T., Stein, B. D., & Miller, E. (2017). Depressed adolescents' positive and negative use of social media. Journal of Adolescence, 55, 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.12

Robinson, A., Bonnette, A., Howard, K., Ceballos, N., Dailey, S., Lu, Y., & Grimes, T. (2019). Social comparisons, social media addiction, and social interaction: An examination of specific social media behaviors related to major depressive disorder in a millennial population. Journal of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 24(1), e12158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jabr.12158

Is It Possible to Get Depression from Birth Control Medication?

Anderl, C., Li, G., & Chen, F.S., “Oral Contraceptive Use in Adolescence Predicts Lasting Vulnerability to Depression in Adulthood.” The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, August 2019.

Guttmacher Institute, “July 2018 Fact Sheet: Contraceptive Use in the United States.” Accessed December 21, 2019.

National Institute of Mental Health, “Major Depression.”

Skovlund, C.W., et al, “Association of Hormonal Contraception with Depression.” JAMA Psychiatry, November 2016.

Worly, B.L., Gur, T.L., & Shaffir, J., “The Relationship Between Progestin Hormonal Contraception and Depression: A Systematic Review.” Contraception, June 2018.

Effects of Depression

Effects of Depression: Physical, Social Effects of Depression

¹Mayo Clinic, Depression and Pregnancy: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-pregnancy/MY00415

²Mayo Clinic, Depression and pregnancy: What you need to know: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-pregnancy/MY00981

³PubMed Central, Amygdala volume in Major Depressive Disorder: A meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging studies: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2739676/ doi: 10.1038/mp.2008.57

⁴Livestrong.com, Long-Term Effects of Untreated Depression: http://www.livestrong.com/article/69705-longterm-effects-untreated-depression/

What are the Side Effects of Depression?

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Case, H. (2016). Can depression affect your ability to think? healthline. Retrieved October 2019 from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/managing-major-depressive-disorder/can-depression-affect-your-ability-to-think#1

Pietrangelo, A. & Cherney, K. (2017). The effects of depression in your body. healthline. Retrieved October 2019 from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body#1

WebMD Medical Reference. (2015.). Untreated depression. WebMD. Retrieved October 2019 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/untreated-depression-effects#1

What to Do When You’re Living with Depression for Years

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Madell, R. (2016). Battling the Stress of Living with Chronic Illness. healthline. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/chronic-illness#1                        

Managing chronic depression. (2009). Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/managing-chronic-depression

Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/persistent-depressive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20350929

What’s the Relationship Between Depression and Alcohol?

Does alcohol cause depression? (n.d.). Clearview Treatment Programs. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.clearviewtreatment.com/blog/alcoholism-cause-depression/

Fabian, R. (2018). Is drinking making you depressed? The Talkspace Voice. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.talkspace.com/blog/is-drinking-making-you-depressed/

How alcohol makes your depression symptoms worse. (n.d.). Clearview Treatment Programs. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.clearviewtreatment.com/blog/depression-symptoms-alcohol/

Shivani, R., Goldsmith, R.J., & Anthenelli, R.M. (2002). Alcoholism and Psychiatric Disorders Diagnostic Challenges. Alcohol Research & Health, 26(2), 90-98. Retrieved November 2019 from https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/90-98.htm

Thompson, K. (n.d.). Depression and disability: A practical guide. The North Carolina Office on Disability and Health. Retrieved October 2019 from https://fpg.unc.edu/sites/fpg.unc.edu/files/resources/other-resources/NCODH_Depression.pdf

What are Depression Thoughts? How Do They Affect You?

Davies, J. (2017). What are automatic negative thoughts and how to deal with them. Learning Mind. Retrieved November 2017 from https://www.learning-mind.com/automatic-negative-thoughts/

Marano, H.E. (2001). Depression doing the thinking: Take action right now to convert negative to positive thinking. Psychology Today. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/200107/depression-doing-the-thinking      

Smith, Y. (2018). Intrusive thoughts and depression. News: Medical Life Sciences. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Intrusive-Thoughts-and-Depression.aspx     

Thompson, K. (n.d.). Depression and disability: A practical guide. The North Carolina Office on Disability and Health. Retrieved October 2019 from https://fpg.unc.edu/sites/fpg.unc.edu/files/resources/other-resources/NCODH_Depression.pdf  

Thoughts and depression. (n.d.). Psychology Tools. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/thoughts-and-depression/

The Problems with Depression in College Students

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental
    disorders, Fifth edition (DSM-5). Washington, D.C: American Psychiatric Publishing.

Ehmke, R. (n.d.). Helping college kids with depression. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved January 2020 from
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Kerr, M. (2017). Depression and college students. Healthline. Retrieved January 2020 from
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NAMI on campus: Because mental health matters. (n.d.). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.nami.org/namioncampus

Peterson, Tanya J. (2018). The mindfulness workbook for anxiety. Emeryville, CA: Althea Press.

Riba, E. & Cusumano, D. (n.d.). Depression among college students. Anxiety and Depression Association
of America (ADAA). Retrieved January 2020 from https://adaa.org/learn-from-us/from-the-experts/blog-posts/consumer/depression-among-college-students

Tandoc Jr., E.C., Ferrucci, P., & Duffy, M. (2015). Facebook use, envy, and depression among college
students: Is facebooking depressing? Computers in Human Behavior, 43, 139-146. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563214005767

The College Student’s Guide to Depression. (2018). Purdue University Global. Retrieved January 2020
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Why Depression in the Elderly Can Be So Dangerous

Bihari, M. (2019). How Age Increases the Risk for Medication Side Effects. verywell health. Retrieved
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Depression is not a normal part of growing older. (2017). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC). Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.cdc.gov/aging/mentalhealth/depression.htm

Hurley, K. (2019). Depression in the elderly. Psycom. Retrieved January 2020 from
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Initiative on Depression in Late Life. (n.d.). Depression in late life: Not a natural part of aging. Geriatric
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National Institute on Aging. (2017). Depression and older adults. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved
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National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Suicide. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved January
2020 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide.shtml

Robinson, L., Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2019). Depression in older adults: Signs, symptoms, treatment.
HelpGuide. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/older-adults-and-depression/index.shtml

Depression in Young Adults Can Hinder Job Performance

Johnson, E. (2017). Living with depression: How to keep working. National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/April-2017/Living-with-Depression-How-to-Keep-Working

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    2020 from https://www.livescience.com/56602-signs-depression-young-adults.html

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Young adults’ experiences of depression in the U.S.: Depression and work. (n.d.). healthtalk.org.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://healthtalk.org/young-adults-experiences-depression-us/depression-and-work.

Atypical Depression

What is Atypical Depression? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

¹WebMD, Atypical Depression: http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/atypical-depression

²Mayo Clinic, Atypical Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atypical-depression/DS01181

³Medscape Reference, Atypical Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

Dysthymia

Dysthymia (Chronic Depression) – Signs, Symptoms, Treatment

¹Medscape Reference, Dysthymic Disorder: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/290686

Major Depresion

What is Clinical Depression? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

¹Mayo Clinic, Depression (Major Depression): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

Major Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

²Mayo Clinic, Depression (Major Depression): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

MDD: DSM Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

Psychotic Depression Symptoms and Treatment

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

Major Depression (MDD) Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

American Psychiatric Association. (2013.). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.

Depression. (n.d.). American Psychological Association. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.apa.org/topics/depression/index

Depression. (n.d.) National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml

Harvard Medical School. (2018.). Major depression. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/major-depression-a-to-z

Postpartum Depression

What is Postpartum Depression (PPD), Postnatal Depression?

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

²Mayo Clinic, Postpartum Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546

Postpartum Depression Signs and Symptoms

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

²Mayo Clincic, Postpartum Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546

Postpartum Depression Treatment

¹Medscape Reference, Postpartum Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271662

Postpartum Depression Help and Support

¹http://www.postpartum.net/Default.aspx

²http://www.postpartumprogress.com/

³http://www.ppdsupportpage.com/

Baby Blues and Postpartum Depression: What's the Difference?

¹Mayo Clinic, Postpartum Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/postpartum-depression/DS00546

²Medscape Reference, Postpartum Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271662

Postpartum Depression Scale, Postpartum Depression Screening

¹Massachusetts General Hospital, Quiz Results: Are you suffering from Postpartum Depression?: http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/quiz-results-are-you-suffering-from-postpartum-depression/

What is Postpartum Psychosis?

¹Medscape Reference, Postpartum Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271662

²HelpGuide.org, Postpartum Depression and the Baby Blues: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/postpartum_depression.htm

Postpartum Depression in Men

¹Daily Press, Postpartum depression hits dads, too: http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-11-24/health/dp-nws-sad-dads-evg-20101124_1_postpartum-depression-dads-mental-health-problems

²HealingWell.com, Postpartum Depression Hits Dada, Too: http://news.healingwell.com/index.php?p=news1&id=534203

³Medscape Reference, Postpartum Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/271662

⁴WomensHealth.gov, Depressed Dads More Likely to Spank, Shortchange Kids: Study: http://www.womenshealth.gov/news/english/650779.htm

PMDD

PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder) Symptoms, Treatment

¹Medscape Reference, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/293257

Seasonal Depression Disorder

What is Seasonal Depression Disorder? Symptoms, Treatment

¹Mayo Clinic, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195

²PubMed.org, Modafinil treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder/winter depression: an open-label pilot study. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15306145

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Symptoms – Who's At Risk

1Wikipedia, Seasonal affective disorder: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seasonal_depression

²Mayo Clinic, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195

³Mayo Clinic, Depression (major depression): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/light-therapy/MY01086

SAD Light: Seasonal Depression Light Therapy for SAD

¹Mayo Clinic, Depression (major depression): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/light-therapy/MY01086

²PsychEducation.org, Light Therapies for Depression: http://psycheducation.org/depression/LightTherapy.htm

³Mayo Clinic, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195

⁴PsychEducation.org, Bipolar Disorder, Light and Darkness: Treatment Implications: 5 http://psycheducation.org/depression/LightDark.htm

⁵Mayo Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder, In-Depth: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder-treatment/DN00013

How to Beat the Winter Blues

¹Msnbc.com, Lighten Up! How to Beat Back Winter Blues: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34509511/ns/health-mental_health/t/lighten-how-beat-back-winter-blues/

Children

Depression in Children: Overview of Child Depression

¹Medscape Reference, Pediatric Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914192

²National Institute on Mental Health, Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml

Recognizing Symptoms of Depression in Teens and Children

¹Medscape Reference, Pediatric Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914192

²Mayo Clinic, Teen Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-depression/DS01188

Teenage Depression-Signs, Symptoms, Antidepressants

¹Mayo Clinic, Teenage Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-depression/DS01188

Antidepressants for Children: Important Information for Parents

¹Mayo Clinic, Depression treatment for children: What works? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-treatment/AN00685

²Medscape Reference, Pediatric Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/914192

³Medscape Reference, Fluoxetine (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/prozac-sarafem-fluoxetine-342955#1

⁴Medscape Reference, Sertraline (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/zoloft-sertraline-342962#1

⁵Medscape Reference, Fluvoxamine (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/luvox-cr-fluvoxamine-342956#1

⁶Medscape Reference, Imipramine (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/tofranil-pm-imipramine-342941#1

⁷Medscape Reference, Desipramine (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/norpramin-desipramine-342939#1

⁸Medscape Reference, Amitriptyline (Rx): http://reference.medscape.com/drug/levate-amitriptyline-342936#1

Teen Depression: What Do Parents Need to Know?

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). Adolescent depression: What parents can do to help.
HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/emotional-problems/Pages/Childhood-Depression-What-Parents-Can-Do-To-Help.aspx

Dowd, S. (n.d.). Parenting a depressed teenager. Child Mind Institute. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://childmind.org/article/how-to-help-your-depressed-teenager/

Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, J. (2019). Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression. HelpGuide. Retrieved
January 2020 from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm   

Men

Depression in Men: Understanding Male Depression

¹The Royal College of Psychiatrists, Depression in Men: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/depression/mendepression.aspx

²Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759-clinical

³Men Web, Men and Depression: http://www.menweb.org/realivue.htm

Important Depression Symptoms in Men

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

²Mayo Clinic, Male depression: Understanding the issues: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/male-depression/MC00041

Women

Depression in Women: Understanding Female Depression

¹These are also in another section where the DSM diagnostic criteria are listed. It seems that the wording is important when taking diagnostic criteria directly from the DSM so I didn't want to change the verbiage.

²Psychosomatics, Suicide Risk Assessment: A Review of Risk Factors for Suicide in 100 Patients Who Made Severe Suicide Attempts:http://psy.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/40/1/18

³National Institute on Mental Health, Suicide in the U.S.: Statistics and Prevention: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml

How Symptoms of Depression Affect Women

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

²HelpGuide.org, Depression in Women: http://helpguide.org/mental/depression_women.htm

Depression and PMS: Why It Happens, How to Ease the Symptoms

Tantry, T. (2019). Anxiety and depression during period: Causes, detection, and treatment. Flo.health.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/anxiety-depression-during-period

Watson, S. (2018). How to Deal with premenstrual depression. healthline. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.healthline.com/health/pms-depression

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). Depression and PMS. WebMD. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/depression-pms

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). What is PMS? WebMD. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/what-is-pms#1

Depression and PMS: Why It Happens, How to Ease the Symptoms

Tantry, T. (2019). Anxiety and depression during period: Causes, detection, and treatment. Flo.health.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/anxiety-depression-during-period

Watson, S. (2018). How to Deal with premenstrual depression. healthline. Retrieved January 2020 from
    https://www.healthline.com/health/pms-depression

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). Depression and PMS. WebMD. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/depression-pms

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). What is PMS? WebMD. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.webmd.com/women/pms/what-is-pms#1

How Can You Avoid Depression in Menopause?

Clayton, A.H. & Hinan, P.T. (2010). Depression or menopause? Presentation and management of major
depressive disorder in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The Primary Care Companion to the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 12(1). Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2882813/

Depression & Menopause. (n.d.). The North American Menopause Society. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/mental-health-at-menopause/depression-menopause

Harvard’s Women’s Health Watch. (2018). When the arrival of menopause brings symptoms of
depression. Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-the-arrival-of-menopause-brings-symptoms-of-depression        

Stöppler, M.C. (n.d.). Menopause symptoms: Emotional, physical, and sexual. MedicineNet. Retrieved
January 2020 from https://www.medicinenet.com/menopause_symptoms/views.htm

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). The emotional roller coaster of menopause. Retrieved January 2020
from https://www.webmd.com/menopause/guide/emotional-roller-coaster

Depression and Your Period: What You Need to Know

Freeman, E.W. (2002). Treatment of depression associated with the menstrual cycle: premenstrual
dysphoria, postpartum depression, and the perimenopause. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 4(2), 177-191. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181677/

J., Jing. (2019). Feeling depressed before, during, or after period. CycleHarmoy. Retrieved January 2020
from https://cycleharmony.com/remedies/period-symptoms/feeling-depressed-before-during-or-after-period

Menstrually related mood disorders. (n.d.). UNC School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry Center for
Women’s Mood Disorders. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.med.unc.edu/psych/wmd/mood-disorders/menstrually-related/     

Michelle, J. (2018). What causes depression during menstruation? Healthfully. Retrieved January 2020
from https://healthfully.com/what-causes-depression-during-menstruation-3513067.html
 
Trial: Oral contraceptives may ease suffering of women with severe PMS. (2008). UNC Healthcare.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.newswise.com/articles/trial-oral-contraceptives-may-ease-suffering-of-women-with-severe-pms
 
Vann, M.R. (2011). PMDD: Managing monthly depression. Everyday Health. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/pmdd-managing-monthly-depression.aspx

Depression in Pregnancy: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment

Carroll, L. (2018). More women may be experiencing depression during pregnancy. Reuters Health.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-depression-motherhood/more-women-may-be-experiencing-depression-during-pregnancy-idUSKBN1K329T

Depression during pregnancy. (2019). March of Dimes. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.marchofdimes.org/complications/depression-during-pregnancy.aspx

Depression during pregnancy and after. (2017). Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School.
Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/depression-during-pregnancy-and-after

Depression in pregnancy. (n.d.). American Pregnancy Association. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/depression-during-pregnancy/

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2020). Antidepressants: Safe during pregnancy? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 2020
from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046420

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019). Depression during pregnancy: You’re not alone. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January
2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/depression-during-pregnancy/art-20237875

Treatment of Depression

Depression Treatment Options

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759-overview

Best Depression Treatment

¹National Institute of Mental Health, Depression: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml

²HealthyPlace, What is the Best Treatment for Depression: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/treatment/best-depression-treatment/menu-id-68/

Major Depression Treatment

¹NARSAD now called The Brain and Behavior Research Fund: http://www.narsad.org/index.php

²Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

Stop Depression: Can You Cure Depression?

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

List of Antidepressants – List of Medications for Depression

¹Medscape Reference, Psychiatry: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/psychiatrics

²This medication is approved for the treatment of fibromyalgia, specifically not depression, although is listed as an antidepressant in Medscape Reference.

SNRI (Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor)

¹PubMed Central, Desvenlafaxine in major depressive disorder: an evidence-based review of its place in therapy. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2899788/?tool=pubmed

AntidepressantMedications for Depression

¹Medscape Reference, Depression: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

Depression and Weight Gain, Depression and Weight Loss

¹May Clinic, Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes It? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants-and-weight-gain/AN01396

Antidepressants and Weight Gain – SSRIs and Weight Gain

¹WebMD, Far Pharms: Antidepressants and Weight Gain: http://www.webmd.com/depression/features/antidepressants-weight-gain

²Medscape Reference, Psychiatrics: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/psychiatrics

³Mayo Clinic, Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants-and-weight-gain/AN01396

What is Serotonin Syndrome? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

¹Mayo Clinic, Serotonin Syndrome: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/serotonin-syndrome/DS00860

Antidepressant Side Effects and How to Manage Them

¹Mayo Clinic, Antidepressants: Get tips to cope with side effects: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants/MH00062

Natural Antidepressants: An Alternative to Antidepressants

¹Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group. Effect of Hypericumperforatum (St. John's wort) in major depressive disorder: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002; 287(14): 1807 14.

²Mayo Clinic, Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

Depression Therapy: How Psychotherapy for Depression Works

American Psychological Association Fact Sheet

Antidepressants and Alcohol Don't Mix

¹McKim, William, Drugs and Behavior, Pearson Education, 2007

²Mayo Clinic, Antidepressants and alcohol: What is the concern? http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressants-and-alcohol/AN01653

Antidepressants and Marijuana (Weed): Is There Any Harm?

¹National Health Services (England), Does cannabis interaction with antidepressants or lithium? http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/865.aspx?CategoryID=73&SubCategoryID=103

²Medscape Reference, Marijuana: http://reference.medscape.com/drug/cannabis-ganja-marijuana-343687#3

Managing Antidepressant Sexual Side Effects

¹Brink, S. Are antidepressants taking the edge off love? Los Angeles Times, pp. F8. July 30, 2007.

²Sexual Side Effects Of Antidepressants Common, But Still Seriously Underestimated By Physicians. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2012, from healthyplace.com/communities/depression/treatment/antidepressants/sexual_side_effects_2.asp (no longer available)

SSRI Antidepressants: About SSRIs, Side-Effects, Withdrawal

¹From Making the Prozac Decision: A Guide to Antidepressants, by arrangement with RGA Publishing, Inc.

²Antidepressant discontinuation reactions.

³British Medical Journal 1998; 316:1105-1106 (11 April)

⁴Depression in primary care, Vol 2. "Treatment of Major Depression," US Department of Health and Human Services, 1993 (Clinical practice guidelines No. 5).

⁵"Antidepressants," Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dec. 2004

⁶Antidepressants, SSRIs, Medscape Reference: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/antidepressants-ssris

⁷Depression, Medscape Reference: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/286759

⁸Antidepressant withdrawal: Is there such a thing?, Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antidepressant-withdrawal/AN01425

SNRI (Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor)

¹Anderson IM. Meta-analytical studies on new antidepressants. Br Med Bull. 2001;57:161-178.

²Cymbalta [package insert]. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly and Company; May 10, 2007.

³Effexor XR [package insert]. Philadelphia, PA: Wyeth-Ayerst; March 2007.

⁴Perahia DG, Pritchett YL, Kajdasz DK, et al. A randomized, double-blind comparison of duloxetine and venlafaxine in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. J Psychiatr Res. Epublished ahead of print. April 17, 2007.

⁵Perahia DG, Kajdasz DK, Royer MG, Walker DJ, Raskin J. Duloxetine in the treatment of major depressive disorder: an assessment of the relationship between outcomes and episode characteristics. IntClinPsychopharmacol. 2006 Sep;21(5):285-295.

⁶Gartlehner G, Hansen RA, Thieda P, et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Second-Generation Antidepressants in the Pharmacologic Treatment of Adult Depression. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 7. (Prepared by RTI International-University of North Carolina Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-02-0016.) Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. January 2007. Available at: www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/reports/final.cfm. Accessed January 25, 2007.

⁷A Surgeon General's Perspective: Achieving Remission in Depression, (CME course) Dec. 15, 2004.

⁸(Throughout) Medscape Reference, Antidepressants, SNRIs: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/antidepressants-snris

Tricyclic Antidepressants: How Tricyclics Work, Side Effects

¹"Copyright © 1997. RGA Publishing Group. From Making the Prozac Decision: A Guide to Antidepressants, by arrangement with RGA Publishing, Inc."

²New Source: Medscape Reference, Antidepressants, TCAs: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/antidepressants-tcas

MAOI Antidepressants: What are MAO Inhibitors?

¹"Copyright © 1997 Do Antidepressants Lose Their Effect? From Making the Prozac Decision: A Guide to Antidepressants, by arrangement with RGA Publishing, Inc."

²Medscape Reference, Antidepressants, MAOIs: http://reference.medscape.com/drugs/antidepressants-mao-inhibitors

What is a Depression Relapse? Can You Prevent a Depression Relapse?

Boyle Wheeler, R. (2016), 7 factors that can trigger a depression relapse. Everyday Health. Retrieved
November 2019 from https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression-health-well-being/factors-can-trigger-depression-relapse/

Levine, D. (2017). Depression relapse: What can trigger it and how to prevent it. U.S. News & World
Report. Retrieved November 2019 from https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-06-13/depression-relapse-what-can-trigger-it-and-how-to-prevent-it

Smith, A. (2019). What are the early signs of a depression relapse? Medical News Today. Retrieved
November 2019 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320269.php

WebMD Medical Reference. (2018). Depression relapse: What to do first. WebMD. Retrieved November
2019 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/depression-relapse#1

What Depression Treatments are Available Today? 

Brain stimulation therapies. (2016). National Institute of Mental Health. Retrieved November 2019 from
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/brain-stimulation-therapies/brain-stimulation-therapies.shtml

Depression. (2017). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved November 2019 from
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Treatment

Gillihan, S. (2017). 27 facts about the best ways to treat depression. Psychology Today. Retrieved
November 2017 from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/think-act-be/201706/27-facts-about-the-best-ways-treat-depression       
 
Peterson, T. (2018). Which foods help your depression? HealthyPlace. Retrieved November 2019 from
https://www.healthyplace.com/depression/food-and-depression/which-foods-help-your-depression

Saisan, J., Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2019). Depression treatment. HelpGuide. Retrieved November 2019
 from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/depression-treatment.htm

Depression Treatment Centers: Types and How They Help

Residential treatment. (n.d.). Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Retrieved November 2019 from https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/treatment/qa-what-is-residential-treatment

Schimelpfening, N. (2019). What happens when you are hospitalized for depression? How to know when it’s time to check yourself in. verywell mind. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-happens-when-you-are-hospitalized-for-depression-1067262    

The Treatment Specialist. (2019). Retreats for depression and anxiety. Mental Health Hope. Retrieved November 2019 from https://mentalhealthhope.com/retreats-for-depression-and-anxiety/

What is a Depression Relapse and Should I Expect to Have One?

Boyle Wheeler, R. (2016), 7 factors that can trigger a depression relapse. Everyday Health. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/major-depression-health-well-being/factors-can-trigger-depression-relapse/

Burcusa, S.L., & Iacono, W.G. (2007). Risk for recurrence in depression. Clinical Psychology Review, 27(8), 959-985. Retrieved December 2019 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2169519/

Levine, D. (2017). Depression relapse: What can trigger it and how to prevent it. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 2019 from https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-06-13/depression-relapse-what-can-trigger-it-and-how-to-prevent-it

WebMD Medical Reference. (2018). Depression relapse: What to do first. WebMD. Retrieved November 2019 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/depression-relapse#1

Which Depression Supplements Work? Which Don't?

Apaydin, E. A., Maher, A. R., Shanman, R., Booth, M. S., Miles, J. N. V., Sorbero, M. E., & Hempel, S. (2016). A systematic review of St. John’s wort for major depressive disorder. Systematic Reviews, 5 (1), 148. DOI: 10.1186/s13643-016-0325-2

Firth, J., Teasdale, S. B., Allott, K., Siskind, D., Marx, W., Cotter, J., Veronese, N., Schuch, F., Smith, L., Solmi, M., Carvalho, A. F., Vancampfort, D., Berk, M., Stubbs, B., & Sarris, J. (2019, September 09). The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: A meta-review of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. World Psychiatry, 18 (3), 308-324. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20672

Firth, J., Stubbs, B., Teasdale, S. B., Ward, P. B., Veronese, N., Shivappa, N., Hebert, J. R., Berk, M., Yung, A. R., & Sarris, J. (2018, October 17). Diet as a hot topic in psychiatry: A population-scale study of nutritional intake and inflammatory potential in severe mental illness. World Psychiatry, 17 (3), 365-367. DOI: 10.1002/wps.20571

Sharma, A., Gerbarg, P., Bottiglieri, T., Massoumi, L., Carpenter, L. L., Lavretsky, H., Muskin, P. R., Brown, R. P., & Mischoulon, D. (2017). S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) for neuropsychiatric disorders: A clinician-oriented review of research. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78 (6), e656-e667. DOI: 10.4088/JCP.16r11113

What Should I Look for in a Depression Therapist?

American Psychological Association. (2020). APA psychologist locator. Retrieved January 16, 2020 from https://locator.apa.org/

National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Major depression. Retrieved January 16, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression.shtml

National Register of Health Service Psychologists. (2020). Find a psychologist. Retrieved January 16, 2020 from https://www.findapsychologist.org

What to Do About Depression After Surgery

MD Magazine. (2008, August 27). Are You Paying Attention to Postoperative Depression? Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://www.mdmag.com/medical-news/postoperative-depression

Tracy, Natasha. (2019, December 12). What Are the Symptoms of Depression and Depressive Disorder? Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from  https://www.healthyplace.com/depression/symptoms/depression-symptoms-what-are-the-symptoms-of-depression

Ghoneim, M. M., & O'Hara, M. W. (2016). Depression and postoperative complications: an overview. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from BMC surgery, 16, 5. doi:10.1186/s12893-016-0120-y

MedlinePlus. (n.d). Getting Out of Bed After Surgery. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000174.htm

Collingwood, Jane. (2018, October 8). Can Nutrition Help Fight or Ward Off Depression? Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from  https://psychcentral.com/lib/can-nutrition-help-fight-or-ward-off-depression/

John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.) Depression and Sleep: Understanding the Connection. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/depression-and-sleep-understanding-the-connection

WebMD. (n.d) Exercise and Depression. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression

Learning Mind. (n.d.). 7 Great Hobbies that are Scientifically Proven to Reduce Anxiety and Depression. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://www.learning-mind.com/great-hobbies-anxiety-depression/

Beck, Julie. 2015, November 18. How to Get Better at Expressing Emotions. Retrieved on 2019, December 21 from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/11/how-to-get-better-at-expressing-emotions/416493/

Depression and Anxiety Medication Benefits and Drawbacks

Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you. (2019). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273

Collins, S. (2018). What you need to know about ketamine’s effects. WebMD. Retrieved January 2020
from https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/what-does-ketamine-do-your-brain#1

Depression. (2017). National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Retrieved January 2020 from
https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Treatment

Greenlaw, E. (2010). How Your Depression Medication Can Affect Your Life. (2010). WebMD. Retrieved
January 2020 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/antidepressant-effects#1

Medication. (2019). Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Retrieved January 2020 from
https://adaa.org/finding-help/treatment/medication

Smith, K. (2019.). Depression medications: A closer look at medication for depression and finding the
Right treatment for you. Psycom. Retrieved January 2020 from https://www.psycom.net/depression-medications/

WebMD Medical Reference. (2019). Drugs used to treat mental disorders. WebMD. Retrieved January
2020 from https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/medications-treat-mental-disorders#1

Alternative Treatments

Natural Depression Treatment: Herbal, Natural Remedies for Depression

¹Hypericum Depression Trial Study Group. Effect of Hypericumperforatum (St. John's wort) in major depressive disorder: a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002; 287(14): 1807 14.

²National Institute of Mental Health, Depression Diagnostic Evaluation and Treatment: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/men-and-depression/diagnostic-evaluation-and-treatment.shtml

³Mayo Clinic, Depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression/DS00175

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for Depression

¹Wikipedia, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RTMS

²Corpus Callosum, Another rTMS Update: http://scienceblogs.com/corpuscallosum/2010/05/another_rtms_update.php

³MindCare, Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.mindcarecentres.com/whatisrtms/faq.aspx

Does Deep Brain Stimulation for Depression Work?

¹Mayo Clinic, Deep brain stimulation for depression: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/deep-brain-stimulation/MY00184

²Chicago Tribune, Expertise counts with deep brain stimulation: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/triage/2008/09/expertise-count.html

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) for Treating Depression

¹Medscape Reference, Neuromodulation Surgery for Psychiatric Disorders: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1343677

²Oregon Health and Science University, Rapid Review Draft Report: Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Depression: http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/OHPR/HRC/docs/HRC.Reports/VNS_Dep_Final_Report_Revised_8.20-.09_2_1.pdf?ga=t

³Cyberonics, Insurance Information: http://depression.cyberonics.com/depression/insuranceinformation/

ECT

Shock Treatment for Depression: How ECT Shock Therapy Works

¹Mayo Clinic Staff, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). Mayo Clinic. Accessed January 19, 2019. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957-overview#showall

²Kalapatapu , Raj K. et al, Electroconvulsive Therapy. Medscape. Jan. 12, 2015. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/electroconvulsive-therapy/about/pac-20393894

Maintenance ECT: Why Some People Need Continuation ECT

¹PubMed, A review of continuation electroconvulsive therapy: application, safety, and efficacy: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20805727

²PubMed, Retrospective study of continuation electroconvulsive therapy in 50 patients: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20357668

³PubMed, Efficacy of maintenance electroconvulsive therapy in recurrent depression: a naturalistic study: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18772702

⁴Medscape Reference, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957

ECT Therapy for Depression: Is ECT Treatment Safe?

¹Medscape Reference, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957

²PubMed, The Mortality Rate with ECT: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9342128

Effects of ECT, ECT Side Effects

¹PubMed, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) increases serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in drug resistant depressed patients: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16757154

²PubMed, Electroconvulsive therapy, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and possible neurorestorative benefit of the clinical application of electroconvulsive therapy: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18580563

³Medscape Reference, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957

⁴HealthyPlace, The Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Memory of Autobiographical and Public Events: http://www.healthyplace.com/depression/ect/effects-of-electroconvulsive-therapy-on-memory-of-autobiographical-and-public-events/menu-id-68/

⁵PubMed, Efficacy of ECT in depression: a meta-analytic review: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15087991

History of ECT: How the ECT Procedure Developed

¹Medscape Reference, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957

²Wikipedia, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroconvulsive_therapy

ECT Videos

¹PubMed, Efficacy of ECT in depression: a meta-analytic review: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15087991

ECT Problems

¹Medscape Reference, Electroconvulsive Therapy: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1525957

Self-Help

Feeling Depressed? What To Do When You Feel Depressed

¹National Institute of Mental Health, How Can I Help Myself if I'm Depressed? http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/women-and-depression-discovering-hope/how-can-i-help-myself-if-i-am-depressed.shtml

What Are Some Touching Poems About Depression?

Dickinson, E. (1862). It was not Death, for I stood up.” The Morgan Library & Museum. Retrieved
February 2020 from https://www.themorgan.org/exhibitions/online/emily-dickinson/24

Gault, A.M. (n.d.). The Power of poetry: How reading poems can help you feel better. PsyCom. Retrieved
February, 2020 from https://www.psycom.net/poetry-how-reading-poems-can-help-you-feel-better/

Herrin, T. (2019). 7 Depression Poems: What the World’s Greatest Poets Can Teach Us. BetterHelp.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/depression/7-depression-poems-what-the-worlds-greatest-poets-can-teach-us/

Leav, L. (2016). The Universe of Us (volume 4). Kansas City, MO: Andrew McMeel Publishing.

Plath, S. (1961). Tulips. All Poetry. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://allpoetry.com/poem/8498491-Tulips-by-Sylvia-Plath

Williams, J.S. (2019). Aperture. Bellingham Review. Retrieved February 2020 from
http://bhreview.org/2019/11/15/aperture/

The Best Depression Drawing and Art from World History

11 artworks that define depression better than words ever could. (n.d.). Learning Mind. Retrieved
February 2020 from https://www.learning-mind.com/define-depression-arts/

A short history of mental illness. (2014). The Guardian. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://www.theguardian.com/society/christmas-charity-appeal-2014-blog/2015/jan/13/-sp-a-short-history-of-mental-illness-in-art  

Borrensen, K. (2017). Artist Channels How Depression Feels Into Beautiful Drawings. HuffPost.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/artist-depression-illustrations_n_598cd864e4b090964295eef3

Destiny Blue. (n.d.). Deviant Art. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://www.deviantart.com/destinyblue

Emotional Drawing by me #sad #emotion #depression #feelings #art #drawings. (2019). Art World.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://art-world.duavezikirler.com/art/emotional-drawing-by-me-sad-emotion-depression-feelings-art-drawings/

Honour, H., & Fleming, J. (1982). The visual arts: A history (2nd Edition). Englewood Cliffs, NJ:
Prentice-Hall.

Lieu, C. (n.d.). Clara Lieu. Retrieved February 2020 from http://claralieu.com/

McKay, B., & McKay, K. (2015). Leasing the black dog: The history of depression. Art of Manliness.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/the-history-of-depression/   

Shin, H. (2017). Death-inspired love comics that I create to cope with my depression. Bored Panda.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.boredpanda.com/death-like-skeleton-drawings-haenuli-shin/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

T40.6 the purification of Orestes. (n.d.). theoi.com. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T40.6.html

Vareikaite, V. (2017). 137 artists try to show what depression looks like and some results will make your
skin crawl. Bored Panda. Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.boredpanda.com/depression-through-art/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic

What Inspiring Depression Tattoos Do People Like to Get?

Erdelyi, K.M. (2019). Mental Health Tattoos: Body Art that Tells a Story in Permanent Ink. Psycom.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.psycom.net/mental-tattoo-body-art-ink

Lelinwalla, M. (2018). 8 Guys Share the Powerful Stories Behind Their Mental Health Tattoos.
Men’sHealth. Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.menshealth.com/health/g20663855/mental-health-tattoos-recovery/

Quinn, H. (2017). 29 Tattoos inspired by life with depression. The Mighty. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://themighty.com/2017/07/depression-inspired-tattoos/

Solomon, S. (2018). 20 People Share How Getting Tattoos Helped Them Survive Depression. Your Tango.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://www.yourtango.com/2016298235/why-tattoos-are-popular-people-with-depression

The 24 Character Strengths. (n.d.). VIA Institute on Character. Retrieved February 2020 from
https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths

What Is a Depression Journal and Why Should You Keep One?

Ackerman, C. (2019). 83 benefits of journaling for depression, anxiety, and stress.
PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved February 2020 from https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

Adams, K. (n.d.). A short course in journal writing: It’s easy to W.R.I.T.E. Center for Journal Therapy.
Retrieved February 2020 from https://journaltherapy.com/lets-journal/a-short-course-in-journal-writing/

Irish, A. (2019). The positive benefits to journaling for anxiety and depression. ProHealth. Retrieved
February 2020 from https://www.prohealth.com/library/positive-benefits-journaling-anxiety-depression-90324

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Symbols of Depression You May Not Have Thought of Before

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How Can Depression Worksheets Benefit Your Mental Health?

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Anxiety and Depression

Relationship Between Anxiety and Depression

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Depression Support

Depression Support: Why You Need It, Where to Find It

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back to:   all depression articles
~ depression community homepage

Help for eating disorders is critical to regaining control over the patient's health and life, especially given that eating disorders are destructive and potentially life-threatening mental illnesses. Because these illnesses are often signs of an underlying problem, eating disorder help takes a variety of forms. It aims to address both the behavior of the eating disorder symptoms as well as the underlying issues.

Help can be found through hospitals, eating disorder treatment centers, private clinicians, group therapy, and self-help efforts. With the proper treatment and a positive attitude, recovering from an eating disorder is possible.

Hospitals and Doctors Offer Eating Disorder Help

The first step in getting help for anorexia, bulimia, or overeating is being properly diagnosed by a mental health professional. For most people, it starts with a trip to the doctor's office. It's important that patients not self-diagnose an eating disorder; only with a proper diagnosis and health assessment can the correct eating disorder treatment be identified and used.

Typically, treatment does not require hospitalization, but in severe cases, a doctor may determine the health of the patient has been so compromised that hospitalization is necessary.

Other medical personnel that provide help for eating disorders include:

• Psychiatrists for psychotherapy and medication
• Nutritionists
• Psychologists / Counselors

Many of these professionals may provide services in private practice as well as through hospitals.

Eating Disorder Treatment Centers

For many with an eating disorder, everyday life is a struggle. For those with serious symptoms or multiple psychiatric diagnoses' (for example: personality disorder and anorexia, addiction and eating disorder), around-the-clock assistance is required; this often happens at an eating disorder treatment center. Treatment centers provide eating disorder-specific care in either outpatient or inpatient settings. While the cost of receiving eating disorders help from a treatment center may be high, it may be the most successful way of treating a severe, long-term eating disorder.

Group and Self-Paced Help for Eating Disorders

Help for anorexia, bulimia or overeating can be found outside the confines of a medical system too. An eating disorder support group can offer a safe place to share powerful emotions as well as learn coping skills and valuable treatment information. An eating disorder support group may be in-person or online (also known as an eating disorder forum), or may be a program through a hospital, or community or faith-based organization.

Eating disorder support groups can provide self-paced eating disorders help and support. Additionally, self-help books about eating disorders are available to aid in eating disorders recovery.

In-person support groups can be found here:

• EDReferral.com - professionally and peer-led eating disorder support groups are listed by state
• National Eating Disorder Alliance - lists both online and in person support resources

There are almost as many types of treatment for eating disorders as there are types of eating disorders themselves. This is because different eating disorders require different approaches and the severity of the eating disorder may dictate the treatment method chosen. The key lies in finding the right type of eating disorder treatment that works best for the individual.

Help for anorexia and bulimia is generally available at medical care facilities, through private practitioners and through community or faith-based groups. Treatment types include:

• Acute, medical care, typically through a hospital
• Ongoing psychiatric care, possibly including medication
• Inpatient or outpatient programs, typically eating disorder specialized
• Nutritional counseling
• Psychological counseling
• Group therapy / Self-paced

Are you looking for eating disorder help?  Discover where and how to get help for eating disorders.

Medical treatment for eating disorders, particularly acute, inpatient admission, is not generally required. The exception is when an eating disorder is so severe that the physical damage must be handled immediately, as in the case of an esophageal tear in a bulimic (bulimia side effects) or in the case of severe starvation in an anorexic (anorexia health problems).

Medical treatment of an eating disorder that includes prescription medication is needed more frequently. In this case, medications are prescribed, generally by a psychiatrist and may be intended to help treat the eating disorder itself or any possible co-occurring mental illnesses, such as depression, which is common in those with anorexia or bulimia.

Medications used in the treatment of eating disorders typically include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) - the preferred type of antidepressant; thought to help decrease the depressive symptoms often associated with some eating disorders. Eg. Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Tricyclics (TCAs) - another type of antidepressant thought to help with depression and body image. TCAs are generally only used if SSRIs treatments fail. Eg. Desipramine (Norpramin)
• Antiemetics - drugs specifically designed to suppress nausea or vomiting. Eg. Ondansetron (Zofran)

More on medications for treating eating disorders.

Inpatient and Outpatient Eating Disorders Treatment

The type of program that is chosen depends on the severity and duration of the eating disorder. For those with a severe, long-standing eating disorder, inpatient treatment may be required. Inpatient care is full-time and generally done in an eating disorder treatment center or in a dedicated wing of a hospital. The focus of this type of treatment is on creating new and healthy patterns in a person's life while educating them about eating disorders and delving into why the patient's eating disorder developed in the first place.

Outpatient treatments for anorexia or bulimia are similar to inpatient care, but are only provided during the day. Outpatient (or daytime) eating disorder treatment is most appropriate for those who have a safe and supportive home to go to each night.

Learn more about eating disorder treatment centers.

Psychological and Nutritional Counseling

Eating disorders are mental illnesses and so, like any other mental illness, treatment for eating disorders often includes psychological counseling. This type of therapy for eating disorders may focus on building life or psychological skills, or analyzing the cause of the eating disorder. Types of counseling used include:

• Talk therapy - for psychological issues behind the eating disorder
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - to challenge the thought patterns and actions surrounding eating behaviors
• Group therapy - professionally-led group therapy can be used as part of CBT, as support and as a learning environment

Nutritional counseling may be used in conjunction with any of the other treatments - either initially or on an ongoing basis.

In-depth information on types and benefits of eating disorders therapy

Group Therapy / Self-Paced Treatments for Eating Disorders

Support groups and self-paced therapies can also be part of successful eating disorder treatment. Support groups may contain a mental health professional, but are often run by peers. Some groups are part of a structured treatment program, while others are more supportive in nature. Support groups can help a person get through treatment by meeting others who personally understand eating issues.

Find out about eating disorders support groups and where to find them.

Related Articles

• What Does Eating Disorder Recovery Look Like?
• Difficulties in Treating Eating Disorders

An eating disorder treatment center or eating disorder treatment facilities are places designed specifically for eating disorder treatment. While many people with anorexia or bulimia can successfully recover without the specialized services offered there, those with long-standing or severe eating disorders are often best served by the center's specialized therapy and environment. (read: Eating Disorder Health Problems and Complications)

Services Offered at Treatment Centers for Eating Disorders

Eating disorders treatment facilities are beneficial because they offer many types of specialized treatment in one place. They also have specially-trained staff, experienced in working with anorexia and bulimia patients.

Services at eating disorder treatment centers include:

• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Nursing and clinical structure
• Detoxification programs
• Education on eating disorders
• Psychological care (including different types of therapy)
• Psychiatric care
• Dispensing of medication

Outpatient vs. Inpatient Eating Disorder Treatment

While eating disorder treatment facilities are often some of the best sources of information and therapy for eating disorders, that doesn't mean every person with anorexia or bulimia needs to have an inpatient stay.

Inpatient stays in eating disorder treatment centers have the benefit of providing an around-the-clock safe and therapeutic environment. This allows the treatment to be much more thorough and in-depth. Eating disorder treatment center inpatient stays to ensure the patient maintains a healthy diet and is likely to form healthy eating behaviors and routines.

Most likely to benefit from inpatient specialized services include those with:

• Longstanding eating disorders
• Severe eating disorders
• Previous attempts treating an eating disorder
• An unsafe or unsupportive home
• Medical problems resulting from the eating disorder
• Co-existing mental conditions like depression

Goals and Cost of Eating Disorder Treatment Facilities

The goals of treatment, whether through an eating disorder treatment facility or not, are to create new, healthy eating behaviors, patterns and relationships with food as well as weight normalization.

Costs of treating an eating disorder at an eating disorder treatment facility can be very high. Inpatient eating disorder treatment center stays are, on average, $30,000 a month, or more, with stays in the 3-6 month range for those with a severe eating disorder. While health insurance will often cover part of the cost of a stay in an eating disorder treatment facility, it is usually far from the amount needed for proper treatment of an eating disorder. It is estimated that 80% of patients are sent home early from an eating disorder treatment center due to cost.

Many people do not need medications for eating disorders during treatment, but eating disorder medications are needed in some cases. When they are used, it's important that they be only part of a treatment plan; there is no magic cure for eating disorders. Patients also need to be aware that all eating disorder medications come with side effects and the risks of the drug needs to be evaluated against the potential benefit.

These medications are primarily prescribed to stabilize the patient both mentally and physically. Eating disorder medications include:

• Electrolytes
• Psychiatric medications
• "Other" medications
• Medications for co-existing medical and/or mental health conditions

Medications for Eating Disorders: Electrolytes

Because eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia, involve severe restriction of food, the body's electrolytes, chemicals needed for the body to function, need to be replenished. Without the proper electrolyte balance, there can be emergency eating disorder health problems and complications involving the heart and brain.

Electrolytes include:

• Potassium chloride
• Calcium gluconate
• Potassium phosphate

Psychiatric Medication for Eating Disorders

Only one psychiatric medication has been FDA approved to treat eating disorders: fluoxetine (Prozac) is approved for the treatment of bulimia. However, other psychiatric medications may be used in treatment for any eating disorder. Because of depression, anxiety, impulse and obsessive disorders commonly seen in patients with anorexia or bulimia, the patient may receive antidepressants or mood stabilizers.

Common psychiatric eating disorder medications include the following types:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI): these antidepressants have the strongest evidence as eating disorder medications with the fewest side effects. In addition to fluoxetine, examples of SSRIs include sertraline and fluvoxamine (Luvox).
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These older antidepressants have some evidence as being effective in eating disorders treatment; however, they have more side effects than SSRIs. An example is imipramine (Tofranil).
• Other antidepressants: Other antidepressants are also used in the treatment process. Examples are bupropion (Wellbutrin) and trazodone (Desyrel)
• Mood stabilizers: There is some evidence for using mood stabilizers to treat eating disorder patients. Because mood stabilizers can have adverse effects such as weight loss, mood stabilizers are not a first choice for eating disorder medications. Examples of mood stabilizers are: topiramate (Topiramate) and lithium.

Medication for Co-existing Conditions

Even if medications for eating disorders are not indicated, the patient may have other medical conditions that need to be managed with medication. Psychiatric disorders like depression, bipolar, anxiety, substance abuse, OCD and ADHD are extremely common in patients with an eating disorder. Medications for eating disorders may also be prescribed to manage the physical damage done by the eating disorder.

Examples of other medications for eating disorders and co-existing conditions include:

• Orlistat (Xenical): an anti-obesity drug
• Ephedrine and caffeine: stimulants; energizing drugs
• Methylphenidate: typically used when attention deficit hyperactivity disorder accompanies the eating disorder

As with any mental illness, treating eating disorders presents many difficulties. Eating disorders are not just behavioral issues. Treating eating disorders means addressing the patient's relationship with food, co-existing conditions, health, nutrition, habits, environment and the problem that initially triggered the eating disorder. This wide variety of potential problems makes eating disorder treatment a long and sometimes grueling process.

In treating eating disorders, any of the following difficulties may derail a person's progress:

• Loneliness
• Backsliding
• Repeated attempts
• Self-blame
• Self-doubt

Loneliness in Treating Eating Disorders

Eating disorders can make people feel like they are fighting the battle alone and that no one understands their struggles. These feelings may make the patient return to their old eating habits. It's important to remember though, many people are involved in treating eating disorders and eating disorders help and eating disorders support are available through:

• Therapy
• Support groups
• Online support groups, forums and discussions
• Faith groups

Talking to others who are working on recovering can remind the patient they are not alone and this connection can support them through the treatment process.

A Backslide Means Treating the Eating Disorder Has Been a Failure

Often when treating an eating disorder, a patient finds they have reverted back to some of their old eating patterns. The patient may use this as a reason to stop anorexia or bulimia treatment. However, almost all people who have been successful in treating their eating disorder have experienced temporary backsliding; recovery is about "doing the best possible" each day, not about being perfect.

Repeated Attempts at Treatment

One of the difficulties in treating eating disorders is often the repeated attempts the patient has previously made. If the first attempt at treatment didn't work, the patient often thinks it will never work. This feeling of failure may even make an eating disorder worse.

In reality though, treating an eating disorder can take several attempts because there are so many factors involved.

Self-Blame for Not Successfully Treating Eating Disorders

When an attempt at treating an eating disorder doesn't work, it is not the fault of the patient, and is not a failure. The patient may have to try a new treatment. Instead of treating their eating disorder on their own, they may need an outpatient program. They may need another form of therapy, medication, or treatment program. Treating eating disorders does not have a single path; each person needs to find the specific treatment that works for them.

Self-Doubt

Overcoming an eating disorder is a very big commitment and, for many, a difficult choice to make. When treating their eating disorder, the patient may wonder if the result is worth all the work. Only the individual with anorexia or bulimia can answer that, but it's important to remember treating eating disorders gives the sufferer their life back; they become free from food.

Eating disorder recovery can seem like an impossible goal to some, but with professional help, eating disorders can be successfully treated. Successfully recovering from an eating disorder requires various types of eating disorder treatment depending on individual circumstances. Therapy, medication, support groups are all part of a treatment program.

Eating Disorder Recovery is a Lifelong Process

Some mental health professionals, and some patients recovering from eating disorders, feel recovery is a lifelong process. Recovery from eating disorders is seen like recovery from addictions: once an addict, always an addict. Someone with binge eating disorder may be considered "addicted to food."

There are several reasons why recovering from eating disorders is associated with the addiction model. Common patterns between eating disorders and addiction include:¹

• Feeling a loss of control over substance (food)
• Obsession with substance
• Use of substance to deal with stress and negative feelings
• Secrecy about behavior
• Continuing behavior in spite of harmful consequences    

It is also noted that those with eating disorders are more likely to have substance abuse issues, so recovering from eating disorders with an addiction model may serve to treat both.

The addiction model is used by organizations like Overeaters Anonymous and Anorexics Anonymous. Terminology like, "sobriety in our eating practices," is used. These eating disorder recovery groups encourage lifelong vigilance and participation in support groups; some patients find them a useful part of eating disorder recovery.

¹ Are Eating Disorders Addictions? By Karin Jasper, Ph.D. http://www.nedic.ca/resources/documents/AreEatingDisordersAddictions.pdf

Recovering from Eating Disorders Seen as Cure for an Eating Disorder

On the other hand, some professionals find the addiction model inappropriate for recovering from eating disorders. There are aspects of eating disorders recovery that are not addressed, or are possibly made worse, in the addiction model:

• Encourages "black or white" thinking: with a typical addiction, the person is either sober, or they aren't; such is not the case with eating disorder recovery. Additionally, those with eating disorders tend to already have problems with this right-or-wrong thought pattern, which often perpetuates eating disorder behavior.
• A person cannot abstain from food as they would an addicted substance. The idea of "abstaining" may encourage starvation, bingeing or purging behavior.
• Thoughts about food and body image, the person's home environment and past traumas, all common issues in eating disorder recovery, are not adequately addressed.
• Addiction criteria such as physical tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal are not observable in eating disorders.

Eating disorder treatment goals are more accurately described as normalization of eating behaviors and restoration of natural weight rather than abstaining from a specific substance. Additionally, there is no evidence to indicate that eating disorder recovery based on the addiction model is effective.

While eating disorders are often complex and may take years to successfully treat, full eating disorder recovery is entirely possible.

Eating disorder treatment can include a variety of components including therapy, often eating disorder psychotherapy, and group therapy. Treatment programs often emphasize both one-on-one eating disorder psychotherapy and group therapy for eating disorders as the two approaches serve different purposes and are often complementary (difficulties in treating eating disorders).

Types of Eating Disorders Therapy

Eating Disorder Psychotherapy, Family Therapy and Couples Therapy

Eating disorder therapy can be delivered in many formats and while always around eating disorders, the therapy may focus on the way eating disorders affect relationships and family as well as patient-specific issues. It is important to take into account the relationships and environment of the patient during therapy for eating disorders, so the work the patient does is not undone by those around her or him.

• Psychotherapy: the most in-depth eating disorder therapy, delivered one-on-one with a therapist. Eating disorder psychotherapy focuses on past life events (often traumas like abuse), personality issues, eating triggers and initial causes of the eating disorder. Eating disorder psychotherapy is crucial in cases where the patient has a history of trauma or where the eating disorder is particularly severe or longstanding.
• Family therapy: for dealing with the effects the eating disorder has had on a family. Family therapy for eating disorders may include the parents of the patient, the children of the patient or other family members. It aims to address the damage done by the eating disorder and put into place new, healthy ways of dealing with family stress and creating a healthy family environment.
• Couples therapy: focuses on a couple. In couples therapy for eating disorders, each person may meet with the therapist alone as well as together. This therapy aims to repair relationships and create new, healthy interactions.

While some of these therapies, particularly eating disorder psychotherapy, can take time, this may be required to get to the root cause of the eating disorder so the patient can fully recover from the eating disorder.

Eating Disorder Group Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Group therapy for eating disorders is a frequently used tool and can take a variety of forms and have a variety of purposes.

Some types of group therapy for eating disorders includes:

• Professionally-led: these groups tend to be part of a formal eating disorder program. In this type of eating disorder group therapy, an eating disorder professional, like a psychologist, will facilitate learning, conversation and sharing. Typically the goal is both therapy and support.
• Peer-led: these groups, like Overeaters Anonymous, tend to focus on support rather than therapy. This type of group therapy for eating disorders is best used once recovery has begun and not as an initial step to recovery as in some cases, these groups can worsen some symptoms of eating disorders like bingeing and purging.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): this is an evidence-based eating disorder therapy focused around triggers, behaviors and consequences of the eating disorder. There is also focus on irrational and harmful beliefs, such as believing they are fat when they are severely underweight. Note this can be delivered as group therapy or in a one-on-one setting.

Eating disorder group therapy provides the advantage of interacting with others suffering from an eating disorder. This camaraderie shows the patient they are not alone and group therapy for eating disorders may provide additional insight as the patient sees their own lives mirrored in others.

Eating disorder support groups are commonly used both during treatment and in the recovery of eating disorders. Eating disorder support groups provide sufferers a way to meet others going through the same or similar struggles. Sometimes feeling like, "no one understands them," seeing others with eating disorders can make a patient feel more comfortable to share her/his feelings knowing that those around them will not judge and will offer eating disorder support.

Eating disorder support groups are typically tied to an organization, an eating disorder treatment center or a 12-step model. Common support groups are:

• Affiliated with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
• Affiliated with the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
• Based on 12-step programs like: Eating Disorders Anonymous, Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous

NEDA Eating Disorder Support Groups

Many organizations both online and through facilities are members of NEDA. NEDA, a nonprofit group, "supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care."

NEDA's resources directory provides links to eating disorder support groups as well as other eating disorder support organizations. A wide variety of eating disorder support and treatment options for eating disorders are available.

Eating Disorder Support Groups Through ANAD

ANAD provides eating disorder support through a helpline, its website, and a comprehensive list of eating disorder treatment providers and eating disorder support groups. ANAD also assists in setting up additional support groups, both for eating disorder patients and for families of those with an eating disorder, worldwide.

12-Step Eating Disorder Support Groups

Several 12-step eating disorders support groups are available, such as Eating Disorders Anonymous, Anorexics and Bulimics Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous.

These groups are based on a 12-step model of recovery similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Eating disorder recovery is considered a lifelong process and these eating disorder support groups use terminology like, "sobriety in our eating practices." These groups consider recovering from an eating disorder to be a mental, emotional and spiritual journey to be made by surrendering their unhealthy eating patterns to a higher power.

These 12-step eating disorder support groups are:

• Not therapy or a substitute for therapy
• Peer-run
• Free-of-charge
• Self-sustaining
• Not affiliated with religions or other groups

Groups can be attended any time and the only group requirement is a desire to stop unhealthy eating practices or recover from an eating disorder.

Where to Find an Eating Disorder Support Group

Eating disorder support can be found online and in person. Eating disorder support groups can be found through:

• National Eating Disorders Association Eating Disorder Support (NEDA)
• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
• EDReferral.com
• National Eating Disorder Alliance