The most common way to treat depression is with antidepressant medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both. Antidepressant medication successfully elevate mood in 60 to 80 percent of people who use them as directed for several months. Different people respond best to different medications, luckily, there are many to try. The different drugs also cause different side effects. Make sure you discuss the various drugs side effects with your physician before opting for any particular medication.
As well, many forms of psychotherapy are used to help depressed individuals, including some short-term (10 to 20 weeks) therapies.
Organizations
Depressives Anonymous: Recovery From Depression
329 East 62nd Street
New York, NY 10021
Phone: (212) 689-2600
Publications available.
Emotions Anonymous
P.O. Box 4245
St. Paul, MN 55104-0245
Phone: (612) 647-9712, FAX (612) 647-1593
National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association
730 North Franklin Street, Suite 501
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 1-800-82-NDMDA, (312) 642-0049, FAX (312) 642-7243
National Mental Health Association (NMHA)
1021 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 23314-2971
Phone: 1-800-969-6642
Depression hotline
1-800-544-1177
OR
1-800-SUICIDE