Treating depression involves a combination of therapy and antidepressant medication. Even then, depression is difficult to treat, especially in younger (children and adolescents) and older (the elderly) patients, as well as in those with histories of chronic disease. There are many options for treating depression, varying from medication to self-help to therapy. Most treatments are combinations of these, specially formed for an individual.

Every individual suffering from clinical depression exhibits physical, mental, and psychological symptoms, but the symptoms of one person is almost never the same as another's. This means that, at least to date, there is no known cure-all for depression. It is important to identify the specific symptoms that plague a depressed individual, as well as their frequency and severity, in order to arrive at the best combination of treatment.

Medication treatments for depression are quite popular treatments, with antidepressant medications often the first treatment option considered by health professionals. Antidepressants help individuals suffering from depression by relieving its symptoms, therefore making it easier for the patient to realize his/her problems and take appropriate, more effective action to solve them. Some of the more popular medication treatments for depression are listed below.

Tricyclic Drugs

These drugs prevent the reuptake of serotonin or norepinephrine (or both) into the presynaptic nerve endings, which results in increased synaptic concentrations of these neurotransmitters. These drugs also cause a reduction in beta-adrenergic receptors. Examples of tricyclic drugs include tricyclic antidepressants (TCA's) such as amitriptyline. TCA's are the most widely used antidepressant drugs in treating depression.

MAOI (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors)

MAO inhibitors hamper the enzymatic degeneration of serotonin and norepinephrine. MAO inhibitors are usually prescribed for patients suffering from atypical depression (depression that's marked by a need for sleep and increased appetite, as opposed to insomnia and anorexia), as well as for some patients who fail to show improvement after taking TCA's. MAO inhibitors carry a high risk of toxicity, and patients must comply with necessary dietary restrictions when under this form of medication. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid (Marplan).

SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

SSR inhibitors are gradually becoming the preferred medications for treating depression, as they have been shown to be more effective than TCA's as well as producing fewer side effects. The downsides to SSR inhibitors include sleep and GI problems, in addition to changes in sexual function and libido. SSR inhibitors include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil).

Antidepressants

Antidepressants treat depression by blocking reuptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and epinephrine, respectively. The reason why antidepressants are not used as commonly as the other medications is due to increased adverse effects. Antidepressants include trazodone (Desyrel), bupropion (Wellbutrin), and maprotiline.

Other medications used to treat depression include anticonvulsants, antianxiety medications, and antipsychotic medications. These treat a specific aspect of the depression (or one of its side effects) instead of the underlying causes, unlike the aforementioned medications. They are often prescribed as secondary treatments for a depressed individual, and may also be suggested for individuals suffering from milder forms of the mental illness.