Depression treatment most commonly includes the use of antidepressant medication and counseling, usually in combination.

The main types of antidepressants include:

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):These affect the levels of two chemical messengers (neurotransmitters), norepinephrine and serotonin (serotonin is known to regulate mood, emotion, sleep, and appetite).
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These are most effective in people with depression who do not respond to other treatments. They are also effective for other mental illnesses.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):These alter the amount of a brain chemical called serotonin.
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These treat depression by increasing availability of the brain chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine.

Friends and family can make a real impact in how well a depressed person responds to treatment, but there are a few pitfalls to avoid. Families should never, for example, accuse the depressed person of faking illness or of laziness, or expect him or her to snap out of his depression. Eventually, with treatment, depression does pass in most people. Families should keep that in mind, and continue to reassure the depressed person that, with time and help, he or she will feel better.

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