Depression is a mental disorder experienced by approximately 125 million people throughout the world and these numbers are on the rise.  This is why many sufferers look for different avenues for treating depression in order to relieve troubling symptoms and live a more fulfilling life.

Causes of Depression

Unfortunately, although depression is a highly common condition, medical experts have no definitive answers as to its root cause.  However, they have formulated several theories, the most widely accepted being a chemical imbalance of brain neurotransmitters.  The neurotransmitter theory is why most experts prescribe medications for treating depression, which make up of half of the treatment process – the other half of the treatment process is psychotherapy.

Medication Used for Treating Depression

There are several types of medications commonly prescribed for treating depression.  One class of these medications is SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, which are highly popular and have been used for 20 plus years.  There are a few reasons SSRIs are the first medicine doctors choose for treating depression.  First, Serotonin Inhibitors have very few side effects when compared to other types of antidepressant medication; therefore, there is a decreased risk of overdose.  Also, this type of medication will raise the amount of serotonin in the patient’s brain.  Prozac, the most common, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, Luvox, and Lexapro are all common SSRI medications prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists.  However, those who choose to take one of these as part of their overall plan for treating depression must work in cooperation with their physician, as these medications do have the tendency to bring about thoughts of suicide, especially in teenagers and young adults.

Non-Medication Methods for Treating Depression

There are other ways physicians choose to treat depression in patients that usually go along with a medication regimen, which include psychotherapy.  During psychotherapy treatments, the patient will meet with their therapist to pinpoint the root cause of their depression and learn healthy coping mechanisms.  The results of successful psychotherapy are usually long-lasting;  however, it can take upwards of 2 months before the patient begins to see a positive change, depending on how well they relate to, and how much they trust, their psychotherapist.  If, after 2 months, the doctor and patient are not seeing the hoped-for results, the doctor will try other methods of treatment.

Alternative Methods for Treating Depression

Although traditional methods for treating depression often work, some patients wish to look for more alternative sources, like herbal remedies.  Herbal remedies, despite being unconventional, do seem to have their advantages.  The biggest benefit of using herbal remedies is the lack of chemical side effects.  When seeking herbal remedies for treating depression, many people gravitate towards St. John’s Wort.  St. John’s Wort is a powerful herbal remedy that is found to be effective and safe for sufferers of depression.  This remedy can either be taken on its own, or in conjunction with psychotherapy.

For those suffering from depression, and those who have loved ones who suffer from depression, answers cannot come soon enough. Often depression has both emotional and biochemical causes. Depression can be difficult to treat, but there are many success stories and many treatments that work.