Ideally treatment choice will depend on the outcome of the evaluation, but there is evidence that it also depends on who does the evaluation. There are a variety of antidepressant medications and psychotherapies that can be used to treat depressive disorders.
Some people with milder forms may do well with psychotherapy alone. People with moderate to severe depression may benefit from antidepressants. Most do best with combined treatment: medication to gain relatively quick symptom relief and psychotherapy to learn more effective ways to deal with life's problems, including depression.
Depending on the patient's diagnosis and severity of symptoms, the therapist may prescribe medication and/or one of the several forms of psychotherapy that have proven effective for depression.
Medications or Therapy for Depression
Last updated 11/7/05
