Depression:

When you’re depressed, it can feel like you’ll never get out from under its shadow. However, even the most severe depression is a treatable condition. There are many effective ways to deal with depression, including lifestyle changes, therapy, medications, and alternative treatments. Learning about the treatment options will help you decide what measures are most likely to work best for your particular situation and needs.

Learn as much as you can about your depression. It’s important to determine whether your depression symptoms are due to an underlying medical condition. If so, that condition will need to be treated first. How severe your depression is also has a role in treatment; the more severe the depression, the more intensive the treatment is likely to be.

It takes time to find the right treatment. It might take some trial and error to find the treatment and supports that works best for you. For example, it might take a few tries to find a therapist that you click with if you decide to pursue therapy. Or you may try different types of exercise, finally to find that what’s best for you may be a twenty-minute walk after work. Be open to change and a little experimentation.

Don’t rely on medications alone. It’s hard to escape ads about medication as a treatment for depression. Although medication can be effective for severe depression, studies have shown that therapy can be as effective or even a more effective treatment for many types of depression. Therapy and/or lifestyle changes may be all you need, and they come without the side effects of medication. If you do decide to try medication, remember that medication works best when you pursue therapy as well.

Get social support. The more you cultivate your social connections, the more protected you are from depression. If you are feeling stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to trusted family members or friends. Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength. Treatment takes time and commitment. All of these depression treatments take time, and sometimes it might feel overwhelming or frustratingly slow. That is normal. Recovery has its ups and downs.