Melancholic Depression & Treatment

Melancholic depression is a serious mental health condition and is one of the most common reasons people are hospitalized for depression. There are several characteristics unique to melancholic depression, but, fortunately, there are helpful treatment options available.

Loss of Interest and Lack of Response

• One of the telltale signs of melancholic depression is a loss of interest in things that once brought happiness to the sufferer. Similarly, those dealing with this condition will often have little or no response to external events, regardless of whether the stimuli is pleasant or unpleasant.

Morning Moods and Low Energy

• Those with melancholic depression often experience particularly low moods in the morning hours, in addition to a drain of energy during this time.

Profound Sadness

• Unlike the day-to-day sorrows everyone faces, a profound sadness takes hold of someone suffering from melancholic depression. This leads to hopelessness, despair, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Medications

• Many medications have proved valuable in treating melancholic depression. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are among the most commonly prescribed antidepressants for this condition. These include Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft.

Therapy

• Individual therapy with a trained professional can have a deep impact on recovery from melancholic depression. A therapist guides the patient through the healing process, providing a listening ear, helpful input and a feeling of support.