People may find that mutual support groups are helpful when combined with other treatments. Different treatments may be used in combination. Lithium is very effective in the treatment of bipolar disorder and is also sometimes used to treat major depression. All medications alter the action of brain chemicals to improve mood, sleep, appetite, energy levels, and concentration. Different people may need different medications, and sometimes more than one medication is needed to treat clinical depression.
Improvement usually occurs within weeks.
Talking with a trained therapist can also be effective in treating certain depressions, particularly those that are less severe. Cognitive therapy aims to help the patient recognize and change negative thinking patterns that contribute to depression. Some depressions may respond best to electroconvulsive therapy. ECT is an effective treatment that is used in extremely severe cases of major depression when very rapid improvement is necessary, or when medications cannot be used or have not worked. Improved procedures make this treatment much safer than in previous years.