Yet, one out of every five adults may experience a depression at some point in their lives. Twice as many women as men suffer from depression, although everybody, including children, can develop the illness. For some, just one or the other is sufficient. For others, the most effective treatment is a combination of the two. Some people are helped by electroconvulsive therapy or self-help groups .
Antidepressant medication works by affecting brain chemistry.
The medications are not addictive and may take several weeks to be effective. Psychotherapy , sometimes called talking therapy, comes in many forms. Generally, the therapy is aimed at helping the person develop new ways of thinking, deal with people better, or resolve conflicts remaining from childhood. Each type of psychotherapy make take place in individual, group, or family sessions. It is generally used for individuals with severe depression and for patients who cannot tolerate medication because of a medical condition or are at immediate risk for suicide.