How to treat depression with conventional medicine?

Conventional medical treatments for depression usually include prescription drugs, psychological therapy and electroshock therapy. Depending on a patient's depression severity, physical condition and age, their treatment can be vastly different. Most people see the most treatment success with a combination of drug and behavioral therapies.

Psychiatrists and psychologists can assess the patient's depressive symptoms, and based on that assessment, they will formulate a treatment plan that includes different therapy types.

Drug therapy is the most commonly used treatment for depression. Antidepressive drugs help to regulate the brain's chemistry in affected individuals, restoring the balance of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. There are several types of antidepression medicines, such as MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, and other drugs. In addition, drugs like lithium work well for those suffering from manic depression

Another conventional medicine treatment for depression is psychotherapy. This treatment involves the assessment of the patient's condition by a psychologist or psychiatrist, and based on the patient's answers, the doctor comes up with a plan to help them overcome their past and their challenges. Psychotherapy includes behavioral, cognitive, family and interpersonal therapy.

A third conventional treatment for depression is electroconvulsive therapy, also known as ECT. Here, the patient gets an electric shock that measures about eighty volts, via electrodes on both sides of the head. The treatment is given under general anesthesia, and although it has a bad reputation, it is safe and effective. A person that cannot take antidepressant drugs can benefit from ECT, but it is generally looked to as a last resort.

St John's wort extract is used extensively in Europe to treat mild and moderate depression. It is a prescription antidepressant in several European countries but is classified as an herbal supplement and sold over the counter in the US. Opinions on the efficacy of St. John's wort vary, but various mental health organizations have said that it has minimal effects. SAMe is another supplement sold by prescription in some places and over the counter in others, and evidence from clinical trials suggests that it is more effective than a placebo.

Another treatment for depression is stimulation of the vagus nerve. This treatment uses an electrode and a generator to deliver small electric shocks. It works well for cases of depression that are otherwise resistant to treatment, but some studies cast doubt on its effectiveness.