Depression (cont.)

Medical Treatment

Therapy frequently includes antidepressant medication and supportive care such as psychotherapy. Other less widely used therapies, such as electroconvulsive therapy, are used in severe cases.

Therapy may be provided by your health-care provider or by a specially trained mental-health professional.

• Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed specialized training in mental disorders.
  
  
• Psychologists have graduate (after college) training that includes experience in a mental-health-care facility.
  
  
• Psychotherapists may have a degree in medicine (psychiatry), psychology, social work, mental-health counseling, or couples and family therapy, as well as additional more specialized education or training.

Regardless of which is used, psychotherapy, medication, or a combination, most people with depression can safely be treated in a series of office (outpatient) visits. Inpatient care (in the hospital) may be necessary for people with more serious symptoms and is required for those who are contemplating suicide or cannot care for themselves.

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