Treatments for Depression
There is a broad range of medical, therapeutic and natural treatment options for depression.
What works for one person is likely to be very different from what works for others. The most important thing is that we do something and not just hope it will go away or get better by itself.
The first step is to find a doctor or other healthcare professional you can trust and feel comfortable talking to about exactly how you are feeling and what is happening. This relationship is vital as you will be working with them to find the best treatment for you.
The most common basis for effective treatment for depression is usually a combination of antidepressant medication and therapy. However there are many other options as well.
Lifestyle factors can also play a big part and there are a range of natural treatments as well as tools and techniques, that many people find very useful in helping to treat and/or manage depression.
Talking to other people like you who have, or have had, depression can be extremely helpful. In the information we provide here we often link to where others have shared their experiences and you can also join our online community - messageboards and chat (coming soon) - where you can share and ask questions anonymously 24 hours a day.
Remember - You are NOT alone!
Psychological Therapy
There are different approaches to psychological therapy and all, regardless of the particular philosophy, aim to help people overcome emotional and behavioural problems.
Contemporary research suggests that the two most effective psychological approaches for depression and anxiety are cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), also known as interpersonal relationship therapy.
Both these approaches have been found to be very effective and usually require no more than about 10 sessions with an appropriately trained and qualified psychologist.
What is the difference between psychiatrists and psychologists?
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
Emotional Healing Technique (EFT)
Emotional Modulation Therapy (EMT)
Interpersonal Relationship Therapy (IPT)
Neuro-Lingusitic Programming (NLP)
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT or RET)
Thought Field Therapy (TFT)
The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has produced a Literature Review of evidence-based psychological treatments that you may find helpful.
Natural & ‘Alternative’ Options
Online Treatments & Trials
There are now quite a few places that offer online ‘treatments’ for depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Many of these are opportunitites for us to participate in research projects that will help us all understand more about depression and the treatment options available.
Centre for Clinical Intervention (CCI)