Effective Treatment for Depression

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, such as reduced motivation and energy, a low or depressed mood, or increased irritability, you are not alone and there is help! Depression is a common and debilitating condition. According to a 2023 national survey, approximately 30% of adults in the US are diagnosed with a depressive disorder at some point in their lifetime, with nearly 2 out of 10 adults having a current diagnosis. NIMH reports similar rates of depressive disorders in adolescents.

The global and national impact of depression is substantial. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) ranked major depressive disorder as the third leading cause of burden of disease worldwide, with projections that it will rank first by 2030.

Depressive disorders include major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. A depressive disorder can also be classified as unspecified or other specified.

Common Symptoms of Depression:

• A depressed mood, including feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness. Irritability may be more prominent in adolescents and some adults.
• A reduced interest in daily activities.
• A change in appetite combined with significant weight gain or loss. 
• Reduced energy or feeling fatigued.
• Feelings of worthlessness or increased guilt. 
• Difficulty falling asleep (insomnia) or staying awake (hypersomnia) 
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Thoughts of death, including fear of dying and suicidal ideation.

If you are experiencing any of these or other depressive symptoms and they are causing distress in your life, you may be suffering from clinical depression. While depression can cause you to feel isolated and alone, you are not alone and there is help. Many individuals find relief through treatment and again feel hope in their lives.

Evidence-based Treatment for Depression 

Fortunately, research has identified a number of highly effective treatments for depression. In general, research favors a combination of medication and therapy in treating depression, especially when symptoms are in the moderate to severe range. However, depending on the severity of the symptoms, evidence-based therapy is often recommended as the first line of defense before prescribing antidepressants or other medications. In cases where depressive symptoms are mild or circumstantial (e.g., death of a loved one, job loss), therapy alone may effectively alleviate depression. Still, given that depressive symptoms can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, such as thyroid disease, it is best practice to also meet with your primary care provider to rule out any physical causes when beginning treatment.

There are several effective psychotherapies for depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is perhaps the most common and best-supported evidence-based therapy for depression. CBT focuses both on challenging distorted or unhealthy thoughts or beliefs and changing behavior to improve your mood and functioning. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), mindfulness (often combined with CBT and ACT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) can also be effective in reducing a person’s depressive symptoms and improving their quality of life.

A note on stigma…

There can be social stigma associated with being labeled with depression which may decrease a person’s willingness to seek treatment. While there is a false belief that depressed individuals can “think” or “act” themselves out of a depressed mood, this is inaccurate and an unrealistic expectation for those diagnosed with a depressive disorder or experiencing a depressive episode. Science demonstrates that depression is caused by a combination of biological, genetic, and environmental factors.

If you are experiencing depression, we encourage you to reach out to us or another mental health professional to discuss options to improve your depression and overall quality of life.