The types of medications used to treat depression include:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), and sertraline...
- Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta), venlafaxine (Effexor), and...
- Serotonin modulators like trazodone. This can also help with sleep...
Full Answer
What are the most effective ways to treat depression?
· Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or doxepin (Sinequan). These are older antidepressants and less commonly used due to their side effects. But for some people, TCAs may be the right medication, particularly when there is also insomnia or chronic pain.
What medications are used in depression?
· ECT. ECT is arguably the most effective treatment modality in psychiatry, and its superiority over pharmacotherapy for major unipolar depression is widely supported [ 110 ]. ECT reduces the number of hospital readmissions and lightens the burden of depression, leading to a better quality of life [ 111, 112 ].
What is the best treatment for clinical depression?
· Therapy Options for Major Depressive Disorder . Psychotherapy, or traditional talk therapy, is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder. Psychotherapy may not be enough on its own to treat clinical depression but one can use it in conjunction with medication or other types of therapies. Psychotherapy can assist an individual to identify the triggers for their …
How do you treat depression without antidepressants?
· Improvements in Brain Stimulation. Medications aren't the only treatment for depression. Electroconvulsive therapy has been around for more than 70 years. It remains one of the most effective ways...
What is major depressive disorder?
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can cause many symptoms, including feelings of numbness, emptiness, and sadness. It can cause withdrawal from normal activities and impact close relationships, school, and work.
What types of therapy can be used for depression?
Psychotherapy can be an essential part of treatment for major depression. It may be used on its own or together with antidepressant medication. Psychotherapy may help within a few weeks. Or, it can take longer depending on your situation.
What medications can be prescribed for depression?
There are many antidepressant medications to treat depression. You and your provider will work together to find a medication or combination of medications that reduce your symptoms. The types of medications used to treat depression include:
What natural treatments can help for major depressive disorder?
Some natural and over-the-counter supplements may help for depression. It’s important to note that while these may help some mild forms of depression, they likely will not be effective in treating major depression.
What lifestyle changes might help treat major depressive disorder?
There are some important lifestyle changes and daily habits that can help manage your depression symptoms. These include:
Where can you find healthcare providers for depression treatment?
If you think you may have depression, reach out to a healthcare provider. You can start with your primary care provider (PCP). They might be able to provide a referral to a qualified mental health professional.
The bottom line
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions. It will likely impact you or someone you love at some point in your life. While it may be scary or overwhelming to seek help for depression, it’s important to know that many treatment options are available.
What is the best treatment for depression?
Psychotherapy, or traditional talk therapy , is an effective treatment for major depressive disorder. Psychotherapy may not be enough on its own to treat clinical depression but one can use it in conjunction with medication or other types of therapies. Psychotherapy can assist an individual to identify the triggers for their depression in addition ...
What is the most commonly used medication for depression?
Antidepressant medications are most frequently used to treat major depressive disorder. Older generations of antidepressants, including tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors can be used as major depressive disorder medications.
What can a mental health practitioner do for you?
A licensed mental health practitioner can assist you in selecting the treatment option that works best for you. If you are experiencing depression along with a co-occurring disorder or an addiction to drugs or alcohol, contact The Recovery Village, to speak to someone regarding your situation.
What is dual diagnosis?
Dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorders, refers to the presence of two different disorders. Major depressive disorder paired with another condition is common. It is important to treat an individual with a dual diagnosis for both struggles so that a mental health practitioner can address both major depressive disorder and co-occurring conditions ...
What is the most common antidepressant for depression?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most type of antidepressant prescribed for major depressive disorder. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that can affect a person’s mood. Individuals with a major depressive disorder diagnosis have inadequate levels of serotonin, possibly caused by consistent substance use and a reliance on these substances to produce the chemical. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors seek to increase serotonin levels in the brain by preventing the neurotransmitter’s breakdown. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are also comparatively safe and less toxic in case of overdose compared to other antidepressant medications. Commonly prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include:
How long does it take for antidepressants to work?
Antidepressants take four to six weeks to take full effect and often sleep, attentiveness and appetite improve before mood does.
How does interpersonal therapy help with depression?
Depression can negatively affect relationships, and interpersonal therapy seeks to address strained relations by improving communication between parties. Also, interpersonal therapy seeks to confront the causes of depressive symptoms.
New Medications and Faster Results
There's a long-held idea that depression takes weeks or months to resolve. But new fast-acting treatments have "changed what we think is possible in the field," Sanacora says.
Improvements in Brain Stimulation
Medications aren't the only treatment for depression. Electroconvulsive therapy has been around for more than 70 years. It remains one of the most effective ways to manage major depressive disorder, especially if you don't respond to other treatments. While it isn't new, scientists have fine-tuned the procedure over the past decades.
Future Treatment
Lots of other promising treatments for depression are on the horizon. Deep brain stimulation is one. In this treatment, a surgeon implants electrodes in your brain. These nodes send painless zaps that alter the electrical activity that's causing your symptoms.
How does major depressive disorder affect your life?
Major depressive disorder can disrupt nearly every facet of your daily life, including your ability to sleep and wake up, eat, communicate, work, maintain healthy relationships, and care for yourself and your loved ones.
How many people have a major depressive episode?
According to 2017 statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 7.1% of adults in the United States—roughly 17.3 million—had at least one major depressive episode. Women were more likely to be affected than men (8.7% versus 5.3% respectively). 2 .
When does seasonal affective disorder occur?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Now known as major depressive disorder with seasonal pattern, this type of major depressive disorder tends to crop up during the fall and winter months when the weather is colder and the sun sets earlier. It is symptomatic of many of the same mood changes as other subtypes, including feelings of sadness, ...
What is postpartum depression?
Peripartum Depression. This type of major depressive disorder is more commonly known as postpartum depression. It is a major depressive disorder that occurs during pregnancy or after birth. It’s quite common, with an estimated 3% to 6% of mothers experiencing the condition. 1 It is associated with stress, anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, despair, ...
What is the meaning of "depressed" in a person?
This form of major depressive disorder is indicative of intense loss of pleasure in activities, along with hopelessness, to the point where a person may even feel that their life is not worth living. Like other subtypes, a patient may experience prolonged sadness, anxiety, lack of sleep, as well as changes in their body movement.
Is depression a disorder?
The American Psychiatric Association considers this no longer to be a separate disorder, but rather major depressive disorder with atypical features.
Who diagnoses MDD?
While there is often a fine line between prolonged sadness and depression—particularly when bereavement is involved— MDD is diagnosed and treated based on an established set of criteria by a psychiatrist, therapist, or other qualified specialists.
What antidepressants are used for depression?
This has been evidenced by the use of different antidepressants such as selective serotonin receptor inhibitors, serotonin-norepinephrine receptor inhibitors, dopamine-norepinephrine receptor inhibitors in the treatment of depression.
How is major depressive disorder diagnosed?
Major depressive disorder is a clinical diagnosis; it is mainly diagnosed by the clinical history given by the patient and mental status examination. The clinical interview must include medical history, family history, social history, and substance use history along with the symptomatology. Collateral information from a patient's family/friends is a very important part of psychiatric evaluation.
Why do people with depression go to their primary care?
Individuals with depression often present to their primary care physicians for somatic complaints stemming from depression, rather than seeing a mental health professional. In almost half of the cases, patients deny having depressive feelings, and they are often brought for treatment by the family or sent by the employer to be evaluated for social withdrawal and decreased activity. It is very important to evaluate a patient for suicidal or homicidal ideations at each visit.
Is MDD more common in divorced people?
MDD is more common in people without close interpersonal relationships, and who are divorced or separated, or widowed. No difference in the prevalence of MDD has been found among races and socioeconomic status. Individuals with MDD often have comorbid disorders such as substance use disorders, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The presence of these comorbid disorders in those diagnosed with MDD increases their risk of suicide. In older adults, depression is prevalent among those with comorbid medical illnesses.[6] Depression is found to be more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas.
What is the prevalence of depression?
Epidemiology. Major depressive disorder is a highly prevalent psychiatric disorder. It has a lifetime prevalence of about 5 to 17 percent, with the average being 12 percent.
Which side of the brain is affected by depression?
Structural and functional brain imaging of depressed individuals has shown increased hyperintensities in the subcortical regions, and reduced anterior brain metabolism on the left side, respectively. Family, adoption, and twin studies have indicated the role of genes in the susceptibility of depression.
How does stress affect depression?
Severe early stress can result in drastic alterations in neuroendocrine and behavioral responses, which can cause structural changes in the cerebral cortex, leading to severe depression later in life. Structural and functional brain imaging of depressed individuals has shown increased hyperintensities in the subcortical regions, and reduced anterior brain metabolism on the left side, respectively. Family, adoption, and twin studies have indicated the role of genes in the susceptibility of depression. Genetic studies show a very high concordance rate for twins to have MDD, particularly monozygotic twins.[4] Life events and personality traits have shown to play an important role, as well. The learned helplessness theory has associated the occurrence of depression with the experience of uncontrollable events. Per cognitive theory, depression occurs as a result of cognitive distortions in persons who are susceptible to depression.
What are the exclusions for major depressive episodes?
No exclusions were made for major depressive episode symptoms caused by medical illness, substance use disorders, or medication.
How many people have had a major depressive episode in 2019?
In 2019, an estimated 13.1 million U.S. adults aged 18 or older had at least one major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year. This number represented 5.3% of all U.S. adults.
What is the most common mental disorder in the United States?
Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. For some individuals, major depression can result in severe impairments that interfere with or limit one’s ability to carry out major life activities.
How many NSDUH interviews were not completed in 2019?
In 2019, 35.1% of the selected NSDUH sample did not complete the interview.
What is the best treatment for depression?
Psychological counseling. Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional can be very effective. For many people, psychotherapy combined with medication works best. It can help identify underlying concerns that may be adding to your depression.
How to help someone with depression?
If you have trouble sleeping, research ways to improve your sleep habits or ask your doctor or mental health professional for advice. Get regular exercise. Exercise has a direct effect on mood. Even physical activity such as gardening or walking can reduce stress, improve sleep and ease depression symptoms.
How to get better from depression?
Stick to your treatment plan. Don't skip therapy sessions or appointments. It'll take time to get better. Even if you feel well, don't skip your medications. If you stop, depression symptoms may come back, and you could experience withdrawal-like symptoms. If side effects or drug costs are a problem, talk with your doctor and pharmacist to discuss options.
What is ECT therapy?
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). While you're asleep, a carefully measured dose of electricity is passed through your brain, intentionally triggering a small, brief seizure. ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can relatively quickly reverse symptoms of major depression. Although there are potential side effects, such as temporary confusion or temporary memory loss, a series of ECT treatments may provide significant relief of severe depression.
What are some physical conditions that can cause depression?
Consider physical health conditions that can sometimes cause or worsen depression, such as thyroid disorders, chronic pain or heart problems
What to ask a psychiatrist about depression?
Consider your response to treatment, including medications, psychotherapy or other treatments you've tried.
What to do if your doctor prescribed antidepressants?
If your primary care doctor prescribed antidepressants and your depression symptoms continue despite treatment, ask your doctor if he or she can recommend a health care provider who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions.