There is no single "only" treatment for depression; effective management involves a combination of approaches, primarily psychotherapy (like CBT) and antidepressant medications, often combined with lifestyle changes (exercise, diet, stress reduction), as the best approach varies by individual and severity. For severe or treatment-resistant cases, other physical treatments like Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) may be considered.
CAPLYTA® 42 mg is an oral, once daily atypical antipsychotic approved in adults as an adjunctive therapy with antidepressants for major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and depressive episodes associated with bipolar I or II disorder (bipolar depression), as monotherapy, and as adjunctive therapy with lithium ...
Ketamine can affect your mood, thought process, and patterns and may lower the inflammation that's related to mood disorders. The drug manages depression in a different way than other depression treatments do. So, ketamine might be a good option if you have treatment-resistant depression.
Psychological counseling (psychotherapy) by a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional can be very effective. For many people, psychotherapy combined with medication works best. It can help identify underlying concerns that may be adding to your depression.
After deciding that a patient needs to take an antidepressant, the choice of drug depends on the severity and symptom pattern of the depressive episode. There has to be a balance between efficacy and tolerability, which also considers patient safety and preference.
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
This class includes sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine. SSRIs are: the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in Australia. often a doctor's first choice for most types of depression.
Unlike more common antidepressants, which target serotonin, bupropion works primarily on the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine – two chemicals that play a key role in focus, reward, and motivation. This can make it a good option for those struggling with low energy and a lack of motivation.
In January 2025, the FDA expanded its approval of Spravato as a stand-alone therapy in adults with severe depression. Esketamine, administered under medical supervision, is now approved in more than 90 countries and used increasingly around the world.
Your doctor might suggest that you try antidepressants if: You have tried counselling and lifestyle changes, and they haven't worked. Your symptoms are bad enough that they interfere with your daily life.
SSRIs are usually the first choice because they are safe and effective for most patients. However, SNRIs may be more effective if depression includes fatigue, low motivation, or concentration problems. Doctors may switch from an SSRI to an SNRI if symptoms don't fully improve.
Meanwhile, consider the following:
Chronic depression (CD) is a difficult-to-treat form of unipolar depression, usually defined by a duration of two or more years.
Immediate hospitalization is essential for those who express suicidal ideation or have attempted self-harm. Severe Functional Impairment: Moreover, patients unable to care for themselves, including neglecting personal hygiene, nutrition, or medications, often require hospital-based treatment.
Therapist Red Flags
They don't listen to you and/or they interrupt you. They have their own goals and expectations for your treatment and aren't open to hearing yours.
Causes - Depression in adults
We hear you and want to share with you some of the signs you're a good candidate for antidepressants.
But as is true for many other treatments, these medications may help in some situations, and not in others. They are an option for moderate, severe and chronic depression, but usually not for mild forms. They can also have side effects. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of antidepressants with your doctor.
Antidepressants are not usually recommended for children and young people under 18. In rare cases, they can cause thoughts about suicide and self-harm in this age group. There are concerns that some antidepressants can also affect brain development in children and young people.
There's good news for people with severe treatment-resistant depression: Esketamine is a groundbreaking therapy that can provide relief from major depression within hours.
Antidepressants