Educationals

The most commonly used treatments for depression are antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.

Medications

Medications form a very important and effective means of alleviating depression. They are not habit forming and need to be taken for at least 6 months following removal of symptoms. The complete action takes at least three to four weeks. A few minor side effects seen initially may give a false sense of worsening of depression. The drugs commonly used in India are :

a) Tricyclic antidepressants eg. imipramine, amitriptyline, dothiepin, notriptyline.

Drugs like dothiepin have additional anti anxiety and sedative properties, due to which they reduce the sleep disturbance and anxiety feature commonly associated with depression. These medications must be taken only under professional supervision. They must be avoided in pregnancy and lactation.

Psychotherapy

In mild to moderate cases it is a treatment option. "Talking therapies" help patients gain insight into their problems and resolve them with therapist, "Behavioural therapies" help patients learn new behaviours that lead to more satisfaction and unlearn cognitive/counter productive behaviour. Behavioural therapy helps change negative styles of thinking and behaving that may contribute to the depression. Interpersonal therapy works to change relationships that cause or exacerbate epression.
Family therapy and environmental changes are required to reduce the stressor.

Other Treatments

Electroconvulsive therapy, though having received unfavorable publicity, is particularly life saving in cases of extreme suicide risk, psychotic agitation and severe weight loss.

Alternate therapies

Alternate therapies like yoga and medication can be effective in coping up with stress once the depression is cured.
Depression can be diagnosed and treated by primary care physicians as well as psychiatrists. Treatment is a partnership between the patient and the health care provider. An informed consumer knows her treatment options and discusses concerns with her provider as they arise.