Major Depression Treatment Options
Psychotherapy, Antidepressants, and Electric Shock Therapy
Sep 16, 2009
Major depression treatment options include psychotherapy, depression medication and even electric shock therapy. Treatment choices vary depending on the individual needs of the depressed person, their symptom severity and other factors. More than one treatment choice may be prescribed for clinical depression. Antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, for example, may both be employed to treat a depressive episode.
Depression Treatment Centers and Other Options
Where people go for depression treatment often influences the treatment they receive. A general practitioner, for instance, may treat major depression with medication, although a psychiatrist has more training in the administration of depression medication. A psychologist, in comparison, can provide talk therapy, but usually cannot prescribe medication.
Depression treatment centers offer multiple treatment choices, including psychological counseling and psychiatric support. Many depression treatment centers also offer intensive treatment for dual diagnosis – the coexistence of major depression with a substance abuse problem.
Depression Medication: SSRIs, Tricyclic Antidepressants and More
Depression medication works by altering brain chemistry. Many types of antidepressants exist, and no single antidepressant medication is right for every patient. Some people have to try several depression medications before discovering the one that alleviates their symptoms without causing unwanted side effects. Depression medication can take up to three months to work properly, although depressive symptoms may begin to improve during this time frame.
The most common choices for depression medication are SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which regulate levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Similar medications include norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Patients who do not respond well to SSRIs, SNRIs or NDRIs may benefit from older depression medication, such as tricyclic antidepressants and MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Tricyclics and MAOIs are associated with a higher risk of side effects than the newer generation of depression medication, so are not usually considered as first choices.
Psychotherapy and Depression Counseling
Psychotherapy is another depression treatment option. Often used in combination with antidepressants, psychotherapy is offered by a variety of mental health professionals, including psychologists, mental health counselors and social workers.
Psychotherapy is also known as talk therapy, as the treatment centers on discussions between the counselor and the depressed individual. During these sessions the health provider and client explore the causes of depression, the effect depression has on the client’s life, and how to adapt thought processes and lifestyle habits to reduce depression symptoms.
Psychotherapy uses a number of techniques to treat depression. one of the most popular is cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps people replace negative thoughts and actions with positive alternatives. Psychotherapy may be used in on-on-one treatment sessions or in group therapy.
Electric Shock Therapy
Electric shock therapy (ECT) has a bad reputation in the public imagination – popular culture tends to lump the treatment together with lobotomies and other medical “mistakes.”
In some cases of depression, however, electric shock therapy can provide relief. ECT is generally only used for people who fail to respond to at least one antidepressant, or who exhibit signs of severe suicidal behavior.
Alternative Depression Treatment
In addition to accepted medical treatments a host of alternative treatments for depression are available, including St. John’s Wort, acupuncture, homeopathy and meditation. The effectiveness of such treatments varies widely, and is often based on anecdotal rather than empirical evidence.
People with depression considering alternative treatments for their illness should consult with medical health professionals before trying any treatment. St. John’s Wort, for instance, can cause a serious condition known as Serotonin Syndrome when combined with depression medication.
The choices for major depression treatment may seem overwhelming, but the abundance of treatment options is, overall, a good thing. Treatment can be tailored to each individual patient.
Resources
Mayo Clinic. (Retrieved 16 September, 2009). Depression (Major Depression): Treatments and Drugs.
WebMD. (Retrieved 16 September, 2009). Depression Treatment Options.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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