The good news about depression is that if recognized, it is extremely treatable. We now have 25 or more antidepressants and two kinds of brief, intensive psychotherapy that improve or cure this illness. Unfocused psychotherapy has not been proven to help. Depression can be diagnosed and treated by any physician or mental health specialist trained to recognize depression and to use psychotherapies and antidepressant drugs. The more severe patients and those who don t respond to initial treatments probably should be referred to a psychiatrist for consultation.
Depression occurs in ordinary people.
When they are well they go back to lives that are happy, effective, efficient, and productive. The information in this fact sheet was provided by Dr. Paula J. Clayton, Clinical Chief and Department Head, Psychiatry, Fairview University Medical Center.