Exploring Your Options for Depression Treatment
There are many options to treat depression. You may consider a treatment plan that includes medication, counseling, and/or group therapy.
Medications
Finding a treatment plan for depression that's right for you can take time, so don't feel discouraged. It is not unusual for some people to change their treatment plans several times before finding the one that seems to work best for them.
Antidepressants are medications commonly used to treat depression. In 6-week clinical studies, ABILIFY® (aripiprazole) was added after an inadequate response to these commonly prescribed antidepressants, or their generic equivalents where available:
- Lexapro®
- Zoloft®
- Prozac®
- Effexor XR®
- Paxil CR®
If you're taking an antidepressant and feel like you might need more help with your depression symptoms, as your doctor about the option of adding ABILIFY to your current medication.
Counseling and therapy
Counseling, or psychotherapy, is often called "talk" therapy, and comes in many forms. You may participate in individual, group, or family therapy sessions. You also have options in regard to the type of professional you may like to talk to. Some common ones include:
- Psychiatrist: A doctor with an MD, who is certified in treating mental, emotional, or behavioral disorders, and can prescribe medicine.
- Psychologist: This person has either a PhD or PsyD and is often called a therapist. Unless trained as a clinical psychologist, these professionals cannot prescribe medicine.
- Clinical Social Worker: A mental health professional who must be licensed to practice psychotherapy and cannot prescribe medicine.
- DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine): A doctor with the basic science and clinical training of an MD, who takes a holistic approach to medicine and applies different techniques to the muscoskeletal system – including the nerves, muscles and bones that comprise it.
Regardless of whether you see one of the above, or another qualified professional, it can be beneficial to build a support system of people, or a person, you can talk to about your symptoms.
Find out more with Resources for Depression.
