Mental health - Help for depression - Best treatment options

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with depression, you're not alone. Consumer Reports Health is here to help with the best research about depression and expert evidence and advice about treatment options.

Key points for people with depression

•	Depression is an illness that can be treated. You don't have to suffer.
•	Depression is common, affecting about 15 percent of people at some point in their lives.
•	If you think you might be depressed, it's important to talk to a health professional who can make a diagnosis and offer effective treatment. Learn more.

Depression Treatments			Antidepressant Drugs


Drugs vs. talk therapy Therapists & therapies Treatment strategies for emotional disorders			Antidepressants: Do they work? Drugs to treat depression (antidepressants) Suicide risks and antidepressants

Help Dealing with Depression



Depression: Not for women only Depression symptoms Emotional health: Are you OK? Emotional illness is surprisingly common Happier and healthier?			Have you been screened for depression? Pessimistic vs. optimistic interpretations of life Phone therapy eases depression Talk therapy eases stubborn depression

Self-check for emotional symptoms

Emotional stress is a common response to negative life events. If symptoms are persistent, however, they may not resolve on their own. Do you frequently experience any of the following?

__ Feeling restless and on edge
__ Desire but inability to cut back on drinking alcohol
__ Lack of interest in things you used to enjoy
__ Moods that go from extreme highs to extreme lows
__ Reckless, foolish, or risky behavior
__ Inability to stop worrying
__

Muscle pains, headaches, or stomach problems with no physical cause

__ Nightmares or flashbacks to unpleasant events
__ Irritability; shouting at people and starting arguments
__ Sad, blue, or hopeless feelings
__ Emotional numbness
__ Drinking so much you forget what happened

Results: Any of the above symptoms could signal a significant emotional problem or psychiatric disorder that could benefit from treatment. Seek an evaluation if you frequently experience even one of those symptoms and find that it interferes with your ability to function and enjoy your life.

	Depression Treatments Questions to ask your doctor What treatments work Antidepressant Drugs Adapin/Sinequan Prozac/Sarafem Paxil [paroxetine] View all drug reports Related Mental Health Topics Anxiety Bulimia Dementia Login here to access in-depth information on depression treatments, antidepressant drugs and other mental health conditions. Not a subscriber? Join now!