How to Treat Depression in Women

Depression affects both men and women but, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, more women are diagnosed with this illness annually. More than just a passing feeling of sadness, depression is a debilitating disease that could last for weeks or months. For varying reasons, many women who suffer from depression do not seek treatment, even though it is treatable. Options for treatment include medication, psychotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy. The method used to treat a patient will depend on the level of her illness. Treatment begins with a visit to your doctor for a diagnosis.

Instructions

Take the First Step to Treatment

• 1

  Visit your doctor for an diagnosis. Your doctor must examine you to rule out the possibility that your depression symptoms could be due to other conditions, such as a thyroid disorder.

  In the course of the appointment, your doctor will examine your family history, your symptoms, when they started, the duration of each occurrence, previous occurrences of these symptoms and treatments, if any. He will also want to know if you have had any thoughts of suicide and if you take alcohol or drugs. Your psychiatrist will use this information to determine the type of depression you may be suffering from as well as the severity.

• 2

  Learn what your diagnosis means and discuss treatment options with your doctor.

• 3

  Decide on a form of treatment.

Methods of Treatment

• 4

  See a therapist. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are the two main types of psychotherapy. CBT teaches patients to think and act positively while IPT helps them work through sources of depression. Regimens may last 10 weeks or longer, depending on the patient's needs.

• 5

  Medication
  Imbalances in the serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain lead to mood disorders. Antidepressant medications act on these chemicals to bring them back to balance. Popular antidepressants include serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (prozac) and citalopram (celexa); and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors like venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta).
  Talk with your doctor before beginning any medication.

• 6

  Ellectroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
  Formerly known as shock therapy, this method of treatment is for individuals who obtain little or no benefit from psychotherapy and medication. A session involves taking a muscle relaxant and receiving brief anesthesia before the therapy begins. Patients must take mood stabilizers to supplement the treatment. The length of treatment will depend on the patient's needs.