Read up on Depression in adults treatment options at Consumer Reports Health.

Depression in adults

Key points about treatments

There are many treatments that work well for depression.

The most difficult thing can be admitting that you have a problem and asking for help. But once you get help, you can soon start to feel better.

Key points about treating depression

Talking treatments, such as cognitive therapy, work well for depression. Your doctor might be able to find you a suitable therapist.
Drug treatments also work well. But they have side effects.
Once you feel better, continuing to take antidepressants can stop you from getting depressed again (if you get depression for a second time it's called a relapse).
If you are severely depressed, taking antidepressants and having a talking treatment works better than having just one of these treatments.
An herbal treatment, St. John's wort, can help people with mild or moderate depression.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) works for severe depression. But it is usually used only when all other treatments haven't helped.

This information was last updated on Apr 09, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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