Sometimes changes need to be made in the dosage or medication type before improvements are noticed. Usually it is recommended that medications be taken for at least four to nine months after the depressive symptoms have improved. Those with chronic depression may need to stay on medication to prevent or lessen further episodes. People taking antidepressants should be monitored by a doctor who knows about treating depression, to ensure the best treatment with the fewest side effects. It is important that people consult with their doctor before they stop taking their medication, since some medications cause problems if stopped abruptly.
Therapy can be effective in treating clinical depression, especially depression that is less severe.
Also keep in mind that joining a patient support group as a complement to other treatments can be very helpful during the recovery process. ECT relieves symptoms by stimulating the brain with brief, controlled series of electrical pulses. After general anesthesia and a muscle relaxant are given, electrodes are placed at precise locations on the head to deliver the electrical impulses. The effectiveness and safety of ECT remains under debate, as do the incidence and degrees of possible side effects, ranging from headaches to memory loss.