Depression Treatment Options

There are many different treatment options available to patients diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder, or other related illnesses. These treatments can be divided into three categories: Psychotherapy, medication, and nueromodulation. Additional treatment options include taking care of oneself, such as exercising, eating well, having healthy sleep habits, and manage stress.

Depression can be a complicated illness to diagnose, treat, and manage. Therefore, it is important to understand all of the treatment options available, and to actively participate in developing, maintaining and monitoring a treatment plan. To learn more about treatment options, please visit our Depression Toolkit.

Medications

For those individuals diagnosed with depression, bipolar disorder or a related illness, medication may be recommended as an initial course of treatment, possibly in combination with psychotherapy. These medications will target changes in brain neurotransmitters and proteins, the “chemical messengers” usually associated with the onset of mood disorders. Medications can help many people find relief from the symptoms of depression. To learn more about medications, please visit our Depression Toolkit.

Psychotherapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy, which is a therapeutic approach that includes an interchange between an individual or group and a trained counselor to help bring about positive changes in thoughts, feelings and behaviors. CBT is a well-established, evidence based treatment approach for depression. To learn more about CBT, please visit our Depression Toolkit.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a form of psychotherapy proven to be effective in the treatment of depression. IPT addresses the interpersonal issues that seem most important to the start or continuation of depressive symptoms. IPT can be used alone or in combination with medication. To learn more about IPT, please visit our Depression Toolkit.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
To learn more about DBT, please visit our Depression Toolkit.

Neuromodulation

Neuromodulation refers to a class of medical procedures used to modulate (stimulate or change) the function of the nervous system for the relief of the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder and related illnesses. To learn more about Neuromodulation, please visit our Depression Toolkit.