Depression Treatment Options
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.
Antidepressants
The presence of depression can be an indication that the presumed balance of neurotransmitters has been disrupted. Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that control functions such as perceptions, thoughts, emotions, motivations and behaviors. Antidepressants help to balance the neurotransmitters in one’s brain, in order to treat depression. To learn more about antidepressants and the different types available, please visit our Depression Toolkit.
Mood stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are a class of medications that have been shown to be effective in preventing both the manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder and/or lessening their symptoms. Two types of medications that are commonly used as mood stabilizers are lithium and atypical mood stabilizers. To learn more about mood stabilizers, please visit our Depression Toolkit.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications are used to counter some of the more intense symptoms that can occur during severe episodes of either mania or depression, including hallucinations or delusions, as well as to counter some of the intense symptoms from other psychiatric conditions. Antipsychotics may be used alone or in combination with mood stabilizers. To learn more about antipsychotics, please visit our Depression Toolkit.
Antidepressant medications: Are they safe for depresses children?
A report described a growing debate about whether paroxetine (Paxil), a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant, is safe when used to treat depressed adolescents. Several British reports have suggested that using such medications might produce a modest increase of suicidal acts in children and adolescents.
