What Is Depression?
7. Treatment and Management
In MDD, treatment includes psychotherapy, medication, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). For individuals under 18, psychotherapy is the therapy of choice. Based on the 2004 guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, antidepressants should not be prescribed for mild depression due to a poor risk-benefit ratio.
Antidepressants should be used in combination with psychosocial interventions for those with moderate or severe depression or long-term mild depression. Antidepressants should be used for 6 months to decrease the likelihood of relapse. The American Psychiatric Association recommends an individually tailored treatment plan that involves options such as medication, psychotherapy, ECT, exercise, light therapy, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Psychotherapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, and interpersonal therapy.
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