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Treatments for Depression

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Main Page Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Screening Reducing Your Risk Talking to Your Doctor Living With Depression Resource Guide

A variety of effective treatments are available to help people with depression . The main types of treatment are antidepressant medicines and therapy. Some forms of depression may be treated with psychotherapy alone. Others require antidepressant drugs or a combination of drugs and therapy. Medicines bring symptom relief and help correct any underlying abnormalities of certain brain chemicals. Therapy can help you learn more effective ways to deal with depression and the factors that caused or triggered it.

Treatment involves the following:

Lifestyle changesMedicationsAlternative and complementary therapiesOther treatments—therapy

There are no surgical options for the treatment of depression.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Depression. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/ . Updated July 19, 2012. Accessed July 30, 2012.

  • Depression. National Institute of Mental Health website. Available at: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression-easy-to-read/depression-trifold.pdf . Accessed July 30, 2012.