Depression is a treatable illness. Treatments for a<unk>  may be provided by mental health specialists (i.e. psychologist, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, etc.), mental health centers or organizations, hospitals, outpatient clinics, social service agencies, private clinics, peer support groups, clergy, and employee assistance programs. The treatment plan could include psychotherapy alone, antidepressant medications alone, or a combination of medication and psychotherapy. For<unk> s of severe intensity (multiple symptoms, minimal mood reactivity, severe functional impairment), combined psychotherapy and antidepressant medications are more effective than psychotherapy alone. Meta-analyses suggest that the combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medications is more effective in treating mild and moderate forms of depression as well, compared to either type of treatment alone. Patients with severe symptoms may require outpatient treatment or hospitalization. The treatment of a<unk>  can be split into 3 phases: # Acute phase: the goal of this phase is to resolve the current<unk>  # Continuation: this phase continues the same treatment from the acute phase for 4–8 months after the depressive<unk>  has resolved and the goal is to prevent relapse # Maintenance: this phase is not necessary for every patient but is often used for patients who have experienced 2–3 or more<unk> s. Treatment may be maintained indefinitely to prevent the occurrence and severity of future<unk> s. Therapy Psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, counseling, or psychosocial therapy, is characterized by a patient talking about their condition and mental health issues with a trained therapist. Different types of psychotherapy are used as a treatment for depression. These include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness techniques. Evidence shows that cognitive behavioral therapy can be as effective as medication in the treatment of a<unk> . Psychotherapy may be the first treatment used for mild to moderate depression, especially when psychosocial stressors are playing a large role. Psychotherapy alone may not be as effective for more severe forms of depression. Some of the main forms of psychotherapies used for treatment of a<unk>  along with what makes them unique are included below: * Cognitive psychotherapy: focus on patterns of thinking * Interpersonal psychotherapy: focus on relationships, losses, and conflict resolution * Problem-solving psychotherapy: focus on situations and strategies for problem-solving * Psychodynamic psychotherapy: focus on defense mechanisms and coping strategies Medication Prozac is one example of an SSRI, the class of antidepressant medications that is used as the first line in treatment of depression. Medications used to treat depression include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and atypical antidepressants such as mirtazapine, which do not fit neatly into any of the other categories. Different antidepressants work better for different individuals. It is often necessary to try several before finding one that works best for a specific patient. Some people may find it necessary to combine medications, which could mean two antidepressants or an antipsychotic medication in addition to an antidepressant. If a person's close relative has responded well to a certain medication, that treatment will likely work well for him or her. Antidepressant medications are effective in the acute, continuation, and maintenance phases of treatment, as described above. The treatment benefits of antidepressant medications are often not seen until 1–2 weeks into treatment, with maximum benefits being reached around 4–6 weeks. Most healthcare providers will monitor patients more closely during the acute phase of treatment and continue to monitor at longer intervals in the continuation and maintenance phases. Sometimes, people stop taking antidepressant medications due to side effects, although side effects often become less severe over time. Suddenly stopping treatment or missing several doses may cause withdrawal-like symptoms. Some studies have shown that antidepressants may increase short-term suicidal thoughts or actions, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. However, antidepressants are more likely to reduce a person's risk of suicide in the long run. Below are listed the main classes of antidepressant medications, some of the most common drugs in each category, and their<unk>  side effects: * Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine, fluoxetine, sertraline):<unk>  side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction or anorgasmia * Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (duloxetine, venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine):<unk>  side effects include nausea, diarrhea, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, and tremor * Tricyclic antidepressants (amitryptiline, desipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline):<unk>  side effects include sedation, low blood pressure when moving from sitting to standing (orthostatic hypotension), tremor, and heart issues like conduction delays or arrythmias * Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline):<unk>  side effects include high blood pressure (emergency) if eaten with foods rich in tyramine (e.g. cheeses, some meats, and home-brewed beer), sedation, tremor, and orthostatic hypotension Alternative treatments There are several treatment options that exist for people who have experienced several<unk> s of<unk>  depression or have not responded to several treatments. Electroconvulsive therapy is a treatment in which a generalized seizure is induced by means of electrical current. The mechanism of action of the treatment is not clearly understood but has been show to be most effective in the most severely depressed patients. For this reason, electroconvulsive therapy is preferred for the most severe forms of depression or depression that has not responded to other treatments, known as refractory depression. Vagus nerve stimulation is another alternative treatment that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of depression, especially people that have been resistant to four or more treatments. Some of the unique benefits of vagus nerve stimulation include improved neurocognitive function and a sustained clinical response. Transcranial magnetic stimulation is also an alternative treatment for a<unk> . It is a noninvasive treatment that is easily tolerated and shows an antidepressant effect, especially in more typical depression and younger adults.
Major depressive episode
Major depressive disorder
Outline of bipolar disorder
Depression 
Late life depression
Atypical depression
Postpartum psychosis
Postpartum depression