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Treatment of Clinical Depression

Clinical depression also is referred to as major depression, and is a serious health condition that affects your mind as well as your body. You may experience symptoms of clinical depression such as sleep problems, fatigue, sadness and loss of interest in activities and loved ones, but these symptoms can be treated effectively to help you live your life. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, treatments for clinical depression include medications, psychotherapy and surgical treatments, which may be combined to provide you with the best results.

  1. Psychotherapy

    • Psychotherapy is a form of treatment for clinical depression that may be used alone for mild depression or in conjunction with other treatments for moderate to severe depression. Your psychotherapy may be conducted by a licensed mental health care practitioner such as a counselor or psychologist. The aim of psychotherapy in treating your clinical depression is for you to learn to cope, set goals and solve problems.

    Antidepressants

    • Antidepressants are medications prescribed by your doctor to treat your clinical depression. There are many types of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Zoloft), tricyclic antidepressants (Elavil), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Nardil), and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (Effexor). You may need to take these medications for several months, and side effects such as sexual problems and weight gain are possible.

    Electroconvulsive Therapy

    • Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment for clinical depression that is performed by your doctor in a medical office or hospital. Your doctor will put electrodes on your head, which carry a current into your brain and cause you to have a seizure. This therapy can provide immediate reduction of clinical depression symptoms but can cause memory loss.

    Magnetic Stimulation

    • Magnetic stimulation is an experimental therapy that your doctor may recommend for treating your clinical depression symptoms. This therapy is conducted by your doctor in a medical office and uses a magnetic coil to pass an electric current into your brain. The stimulation to the brain can change brain activity and reduce symptoms of depression.

    Neurotherapeutic Treatments

    • Neurotherapeutic treatments involve surgical implantation of electrodes in your brain by your doctor. This treatment is performed in a medical setting. In 2005, the Food and Drug Administration approved vagus nerve stimulation to treat severe depression. Deep brain stimulation is another type of treatment involving electrical current to change brain activity.

    Hospitalization

    • Your doctor may recommend hospitalization in a specialized psychiatric treatment unit if your clinical depression makes you a threat to yourself. Hospitalization may last for several weeks or longer and may involve specialists in counseling, psychiatry, psychology and other mental health practitioners. You also may receive medications and psychotherapy while hospitalized.

    Alternative Medicine

    • St. John's Wort is a dietary supplement that can treat the symptoms of anxiety and mild depression. You can get St. John's Wort over the counter at pharmacies and health food stores, and it comes in capsules, liquid extracts and teas. St. John's Wort may cause side effects such as nausea and dizziness, and can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

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