Signs and Symptoms. These feelings usually appear in depression, but in a more intense and prolonged form. Depression is one of the most treatable of all mental illnesses. As many as 90 percent of people with depression respond well to treatment, and nearly all of those treated experience some benefit. Like many other mental illnesses, depression is usually treated with medication, psychotherapy or a combination of the two.
Patients can usually see relief of their symptoms in just a few weeks.
Antidepressant medications are used to correct imbalances of certain neurotransmitters. The effectiveness of antidepressant medications depends on a person's overall health, weight and metabolism, and other unique physical traits, and they are usually prescribed to fit the individual. If one medication doesn't work, the physician may try another or a combination of medications to determine the most effective regimen. Generally, antidepressants become fully effective within three to six weeks. While its use has decreased as more advanced medications have been developed, ECT remains very effective for treating patients who cannot tolerate or take medications due to medical conditions, old age, malnutrition, or those who do not respond to anti-depressant medications.