When you talk to your doctor or mental health professional, make sure they are informed about all treatment options. Talking with a trained mental health professional can help teach better ways of handling problems. Therapy can be effective in treating clinical depression, especially depression that is less severe. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps change negative styles of thinking and behaving that may contribute to clinical depression. Interpersonal therapy focuses on dealing more effectively with other people, working to change relationships that can cause or worsen clinical depression.
Antidepressant medication acts on chemical pathways of the brain.
There are many very effective antidepressants. Antidepressant medications are not habit-forming. It may take as little as one week or as many as eight weeks before you notice an improvement. It is usually recommended that medications be taken for at least 4 to 9 months after the depressive symptoms have improved . Those with chronic depression may need to stay on medication to prevent or lessen further episodes.