The Best Treatment for Mild to Moderate Depression

Depression is a serious condition, and there are many treatments, from various forms of therapy to myriad medications. Don't let that deter you -- together, you and your psychologist will identify which treatment is right for you.

Types of Treatment

• Most doctors treat depression with psychotherapy and medication. However, if your depression is mild, and if you make lifestyle changes that support your recovery, you may benefit from therapy alone.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a common treatment for depression. CBT teaches clients how to cope with depression, helping them challenge negative thoughts and maintain positivity.

Interpersonal Psychotherapy

• Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) addresses relationships. IPT uses a "social register" to describe clients' relationships, clarifies clients' personal biases and allows clients to role play solutions to their interpersonal disputes.

Pharmacotherapy

• If you have mild depression, you should explore a psychotherapy treatment. But because depression has biological bases, if your depression is more moderate than mild, you may benefit from medication. Talk to your doctor about what type of pharmacotherapy would be right for you.

Lifestyle Factors

• Remember, major depressive disorder is linked to chemicals in the body and the brain. Exercise and diet alter the balances of these chemicals. It is therefore important that those with depression exercise and eat right.