By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

Topics Covered in This Depression Treatment Article:

• Introduction
• Psychotherapy
• Hospitalization
• Medications
• Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
• Self-Help
• Psychotherapy, Medication or Both?
• References

Introduction

This article outlines some general treatment information and guidelines which you may want to take into consideration when seeking treatment for clinical depression . There are a wide variety of treatment options available for depression, and it’s highly likely you will find one that works for you.

You should know upfront that research does not predict individual responses to the specific depression treatments. In other words, just because it works for some (or even most) people does not mean it will work for you. It’s important to keep this in mind as you or a loved one undergoes treatment for depression, because the first treatment or set of treatments tried may not be effective.

Most clinicians practicing today believe that depression is caused by an equal combination of biological (including genetics), social, and psychological factors. A treatment approach that focuses exclusively on one of these factors is not likely to be as beneficial as a treatment approach that addresses both psychological and biological aspects (through, for example, psychotherapy and medication). Depression remains a complicated, complex disorder and researchers are only beginning to fully grasp the multitude of factors — personal, genetic, biological, societal, and environmental — that are involved. Any explanation or approach which emphasizes only one factor as the cause of depression is misleading and simplistic. Individuals should avoid accepting a simplistic answer to such a devastating and complex disorder.

Treatment for depression, like for most mental disorders, usually relies on psychotherapy and medication for the quickest, strongest effects (read the article Psychotherapy, Medication or Both? if you’d like to learn more about the research). Treatment is usually begun immediately after the initial clinical interview with a mental health professional.

Depression treatment takes time and patience is needed. The effects of medications will usually be felt within 6 to 8 weeks of taking an antidepressant , but not everyone feels better on the first medication tried. You may have to try 2 or 3 different medications before finding the one that works for you. The same may also be true for psychotherapy — the first therapist may not be the one you end up working with. Most modern psychotherapy treatment for depression takes 6 to 12 months, going once per week for 50 minutes at a time.

Psychotherapy

There are a wide number of different types of effective therapeutic approaches utilized for the treatment of depression today. These range from cognitive behavioral therapy, to behav...