Depression Treatments

1. Medications

The first-line treatment for depression is an antidepressant. In the STAR*D study, which assessed the effectiveness of depression treatment, about one-third of patients achieved complete remission of their symptoms with the first antidepressant they were given, while another 10 to 15 percent experienced at least a 50 percent improvement in their symptoms. As treatment levels were added, such as switching medications or adding an additional medication, remission rates increased. Seventy percent of those who stuck with the study until the fourth level of treatment became symptom-free.

2. Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a process in which a trained professional enters a relationship with a patient for the purpose of helping the patient with symptoms of mental illness, behavioral problems or personal growth. The process involves the patient and therapist sitting in a room talking, which is why it is often called "talk therapy."

Psychotherapy in conjunction with medication is considering to be the most effective treatment for depression.

3. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT, is a form of treatment for depression which involves the application of a brief electrical pulse to the scalp in order to produce a seizure. Generally, a series of treatments is given over a period of weeks.

Situations when ECT might be administered are when medications have not been effective, when medications might endanger the patient or when a rapid response is needed.

4. Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)

Vagus nerve stimulation, or VNS, involves the use of an implanted device to provide periodic stimulation to the vagus nerve. The device was originally developed as a treatment for epilepsy. It has since been approved in the U.S., Canada and the European Union for treatment-resistant depression in both unipolar depression and bipolar disorder.