Diagnosis and Treatment

There are a number of effective treatments for depression. These include psychological and medical treatments. If you have symptoms of depression, seek help.

Psychological treatments are the first line of depression treatment. For moderate to severe depression, they may be combined with antidepressants. For mild depression, antidepressants are not required.

Psychological treatments help develop new patterns of thinking, coping, and communicating with others. They may include talk therapy, which is conducted by a professional or a non-professional therapist under the supervision of a professional. Talk therapy sessions can be conducted in person or online. Self-help guides, websites, and mobile apps can be used to learn psychological treatments.

Effective psychological treatments for depression include:

behavioral activation

cognitive behavioral therapy

interpersonal psychotherapy

problem-solving therapy.

Antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine.

Healthcare professionals should consider the potential adverse effects of antidepressants, the availability of psychological or drug treatments (trained professionals and/or patient access to therapy), and individual patient preferences.

Antidepressants should not be prescribed for depression in children or considered as first-line treatment for adolescents, who should be given antidepressants with particular caution.

Other medications and treatments are available to treat bipolar disorder.

Self-help

Self-help can often help effectively manage symptoms of depression and improve overall psychological well-being.

What you can do on your own:

try to continue activities that you used to enjoy;

stay in touch with friends and family;

keep regular physical activity, even if it is just short walks;

stay on a regular diet and sleep schedule, if possible;

Avoid or reduce alcohol consumption and avoid illegal drugs, as this can make depression worse;

Talk to people you trust about your feelings;

Seek help from a health professional.

If you are having suicidal thoughts:

Remember that you are not alone and that many other people have had these feelings and have been able to get help;

Talk to people you trust about your thoughts and feelings;

Talk to a health professional, such as a doctor or counsellor;

Join a support group.

If you feel you are in immediate danger of harming yourself, contact any emergency services or crisis line available to you.