Treatments for Major Recurrent Depression

Depression, which is also called major depression and clinical depression, can affect you once in your life or many times. Depression that recurs may require you to have more aggressive treatment or combine different types of treatments to get the best effect. According to the National Library of Medicine and the Mayo Clinic, treatments for recurrent depression include psychotherapy and medications.

SSRIs

• Your doctor may prescribe one or a combination of first line medications classified as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as Zoloft or Paxil, to treat recurrent depression.

SNRIs

• Similar to SSRIs, selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are first-choice antidepressants that can also reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Other Antidepressants

• If first-choice antidepressants do not resolve your recurrent depression, your doctor may prescribe tricyclic antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, although these medications have more severe side effects.

Antipsychotics

• Recurrent depression that is severe or causes you to consider suicide may require strong prescription medications called antipsychotics, such as lithium.

Psychotherapy

• Your doctor may suggest psychotherapy with a licensed and certified mental health care practitioner along with medications if you have recurrent depression.

Hospitalization

• The most severe cases of recurrent depression may require hospitalization in a specialized facility dedicated to caring for people with mental health disorders.