Treating Depression

Depressive disorder, often referred to as depression, is more than just a rough patch or period of sadness in one’s life, but rather a serious mental health condition that is also one of the most common. The symptoms of depression can vary, but tend to commonly interfere with an individual’s day to day life. For those struggling with depression, there is hope as treatment is available and has been proven to make a difference. The following list features various common types of treatment used for treating depressive disorders.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy or counseling, is widely recognized as an effective way to treat depression.

There are various types of psychotherapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT). CBT helps change the negative thinking patterns one may have because of depression. IPT focuses on improving problems in relationships or other aspects of life that may be contributing to one’s depression.

Medications

For some people, antidepressant medications may help reduce or control depression symptoms.

Types of antidepressants include:

- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are the most commonly used type of antidepressant and include medications such as: Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, and more.
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) which include: Effexor, Pristiq, and more.
- Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) which include: Wellbutrin and more.

More information and RESOURCES

We recommend talking to your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have.
To learn more about depression and the treatment used, we suggest the following links:
- NAMI: https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Depression/Treatment
- NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression