Medications
The first-line treatment for depression is an antidepressant, as studies show these drugs help a significant number of people experience complete remission, or at least significant improvement, in their symptoms.
- Types of Antidepressants
- How Antidepressants Work
- Antidepressant Safety During Pregnancy
- Drug Side-Effects Index
- How to Reduce Sexual Dysfunction
- Tips for Reducing Discontinuation Symptoms
- How Your Doctor Selects Your Antidepressant
- Antidepressants and Kids
- Are Antidepressants Addictive?
- Tips for Coping With Common Antidepressant Side Effects
- Should You Buy Drugs Without a Prescription?
- What Is the Best Antidepressant?
- What Causes Antidepressant Discontinuation Syndrome?
- Save Money on Your Meds With Pill Splitting
- Gender Differences in Response to Antidepressants
- Best Antidepressant for Weight Loss
- Which Antidepressant Is Most Likely to Cause Weight Gain?
- What Is Serotonin Syndrome?
- How to Cope With Common Antidepressant Side Effects
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy, often called "talk therapy," is a process whereby a trained psychotherapist uses specialized techniques to the patient with mental illness, behavior problems or personal development.It is thought to be most effective for depression when used in conjunction with medication.
Although "psychotherapy" and "counseling" are often thought of as being the same thing, counseling generally refers to a relatively brief treatment focused mostly on creating behavioral changes.
- What Is Psychotherapy?
- Types of Psychotherapy
- The Difference Between Counseling and Psychotherapy
- How to Choose a Therapist
- What the Initials After Your Doctor's Name Mean
- What to Expect During Your First Session
- Best Type of Psychotherapy for Depression
- DIY Psychotherapy
- What Is the Difference Between and Psychologist and a Psychiatrist?
- What Is the Difference Between Psychotherapy and Pharmacotherapy?
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is often considered to be a treatment of last resort due to its many side effects, such as memory loss.It involves the application of a brief pulse of electricity to the scalp in order to induce a seizure.Patients who might be good candidates for ECT includes those who are severely suicidal and need quick relief, those who have not had success with other treatments and those who cannot take medications for various reasons.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively new treatment, targeted at treatment resistant-depression.It requires the surgical implantation of a device which periodically stimulates the vagus nerve.It is currently approved for this purpose in the U.S., Canada and the European Union.
Mothers and Their Children
Mothers and children will face special treatment issues, especially regarding the safety and effectiveness of particular treatments.Pregnant and breast-feeding women must balance their own mental well-being against the needs of their baby.Mothers also have concerns about whether antidepressants are safe for their older child to use.
- Antidepressant Safety During Pregnancy
- Gender Differences in Response to Antidepressants
- Postpartum Depression Treatments
- Drugs May Not Be Necessary for Some With Postpartum Depression
- Treatments for Depressed Children
- Helping a Child Who's Afraid of Seeing a Doctor
- Tips for Preventing Postpartum Depression
- Women and Depression