Treatment of Depression
with Mainstream Medicine
Fortunately, there are many effective
treatment options for depression. To be most effective, treatment should be specifically
tailored to each individual. That is why a detailed interview by a mental health
professional is extremely valuable. Established treatments for depression may include:
1. Antidepressant medications ( such as nefazodone, mirtazapine and venlafaxine)
2. Psychotherapy (also known as "talk therapy" or "counseling")
3. Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT)
All of these treatments have been shown to
successfully treat depression. The choice of treatment will be determined by several
factors, including the type and severity of depression, by previous treatment history, as
well as by patient preference. A combination of medications and psychotherapy is used to
treat most patients, although mild forms of depression may be treated with psychotherapy
alone.
Effective treatment is based on an
accurate assessment, which identifies the causes of depression in any person. Usually
depression is a result of biological, psychological and social factors, and an effective
treatment plan is one that identifies all of these and develops strategies to reduce their
frequency and intensity
