Treatment

Treatment of depression needs to be tailored to the individual.The majority of people suffering from depression are treated by their family doctor. Antidepressant tablets are a common treatment, although it may be that in the first instance a form of counselling is appropriate, especially if the depression is very mild or in its early stages. This usually can be done at the surgery, and involves sessions talking to a community psychiatric nurse or trained counsellor. By being able to talk freely about your feelings without being judged on them is often a great help to people although it must be remembered that such talking can take a certain amount of motivation and willingness to talk in the first place. This is much less likely to happen in severe depression. The counsellor may identify areas in relationships triggering the depression and suggest specialised agencies such as Relate, or self-help groups. If counselling is not sufficient, or the depression is severe, then tablets may be needed.

Many people believe antidepressants are either addictive or tranquillizers, neither of which are true. Whatever type of drug is used, it must always be remembered that it usually takes two to three weeks for their full benefit to be felt and that they work extremely well in the vast majority of depressed people who take them. It may be that in the first few days after beginning treatment, small improvements are noticed such as improved sleep and reduced anxiety but the main effects take a little longer to become apparent.

All drugs that have a beneficial effect on the body have some side effects, and antidepressants are no exception. The exact effects depend on the type of medication prescribed (see below) but general ones include tiredness, a dry mouth and constipation. Your doctor will advise you about driving or working with machinery if this is relevant to you but as a general rule you should avoid drinking alcohol if you are taking any antidepressant.