Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Start TreatmentAfter DiagnosisIs Treatment Working?Positive Effects of TreatmentWhen to Ask for HelpOther Steps to TakeA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How to Start Treatment
After Diagnosis
Is Treatment Working?
Positive Effects of Treatment
When to Ask for Help
Other Steps to Take
A Word From Verywell
Close
Depressionis a serious condition that can impact many areas of a person’s life. Because there are many factors that can contribute to major depressive disorder (MDD), there is no single way to treat MDD and treatment approaches vary.
Since there is no one-size-fits-all treatment, each person has a unique experience with treatment. However, there are certain things that you can expect in terms of how you will begin treatment, the approaches a doctor might recommend, and the results you might experience.
Here are some of the effects you can expect during major depressive disorder treatment.
Treatment usually begins when you see a doctor concerning possiblesymptoms of depressionthat you may be experiencing. Such symptoms can include changes in:
A primary care physician may diagnose you and/or refer you to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.
A doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms including what type of symptoms you have, how long you have had them, and how severe they are. In addition to assessing your symptoms, a doctor will also explore possible physiological factors that might contribute to depression.
Signs That You Might Be Depressed
What Happens After You Are Diagnosed
After you are diagnosed with major depressive disorder, what happens next depends on your symptoms and what a doctor thinks is causing your depression.
Ruling Out Medical Causes
Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, can be a common medical cause that contributes to depression, particularly among women. If blood tests reveal that you have hypothyroidism, a doctor may prescribe medications designed to treat the thyroid condition, which may help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Once any underlying conditions have been addressed, a doctor may then:
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Research has found that psychotherapy is about as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. However, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the individual and the severity of symptoms.
In many cases, your treatment will involve a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy.
How to Know If Treatment Is Working
It may take time to find the treatment approach that is right for you. Read on to learn more about when to expect symptom relief from medication and therapy.
What to Expect From Antidepressants
If you are taking antidepressants, you may begin to experience some benefits fairly quickly. However, antidepressants commonly take four to eight weeks to work.So most people will not begin feeling the full impact until several weeks after beginning the medication.
In addition to treating your symptoms of depression, however, you may also experienceside effects, which can vary depending on the type of antidepressant you are taking. Some common side effects of antidepressants include dry mouth, sexual side effects, nausea, insomnia, restlessness, weight gain, headaches, and constipation.
While common side effects of antidepressants are usually manageable, you should still consult a doctor if you do experience any.
Not all antidepressants work for everyone, and you may need to adjust your dose or even try a different type of medication. It may seem frustrating or slow-going at times, but carefully monitoring your progress and symptoms can help ensure that you are receiving the best treatment for your needs.
If you do not begin to notice any positive changes in your symptoms after eight weeks, talk to a doctor. In most cases, a doctor or psychiatrist may want you to continue to take a specific medication for a while in order for it to reach its full effectiveness. However, if you are not seeing any results, it is worth consulting a doctor to discuss changing your dose, switching antidepressants, or trying another approach.
Anyone taking antidepressants should be monitored carefully, particularly during the first few weeks of treatment. People may sometimes experience a worsening of symptoms or may start to havesuicidal thoughtsor exhibit suicidal behaviors.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Don’t stop taking your antidepressant without talking to a doctor. Suddenly stopping your medication can make your symptoms worse, so it is important to develop a plan with a doctor to gradually lower your dosage and allow your body to readjust.
When Do Antidepressants Start Working?
What to Expect From Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy focuses on helping people understand the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that contribute to symptoms of major depressive disorder. Some of the treatment effects you may experience when you are undergoing psychotherapy depend largely on your individual symptoms and the specific techniques that are used.
How It HelpsPsychotherapy, no matter what approach is used, can help you get a better handle on some of the factors that might be contributing to your feelings of depression. A big part of this includesreframing negative thinking, improving your relationships, managing stress, and looking for new ways of handling life’s problems.
How It Helps
Psychotherapy, no matter what approach is used, can help you get a better handle on some of the factors that might be contributing to your feelings of depression. A big part of this includesreframing negative thinking, improving your relationships, managing stress, and looking for new ways of handling life’s problems.
You will likely begin a regular treatment schedule that involves meeting with a therapist once or twice a week, depending on your needs.Just as with medication-based approaches to depression treatment, psychotherapy takes time.
However, a therapist can also help you develop new coping skills that will help you to manage your stress, deal with negative thoughts and emotions, and manage your fears. Such skills can be particularly helpful as you wait for antidepressant treatments to begin working.
You can discuss treatment length with a therapist at the start of your sessions. How long you attend therapy depends on the therapist/therapy type, your individual needs, and your specific mental health condition.
Research suggests that, on average, half of people who attend psychotherapy benefit from attending at least 15 to 20 sessions. Others benefit from a more intensive schedule, such as 20 to 30 sessions over a six-month period.But some people attend therapy with no specified end date.
You and a therapist can also set therapy goals for your depression, and can base your end date on when you both feel you’ve learned adequate coping mechanisms to handle your symptoms. Therapy goals may include:
Psychotherapy is not the only recommended option for people with severe depression. Symptoms of severe depression include thoughts or plans of suicide,psychosis, impairments in basic functioning, and poor judgment that may result in self-harm. Patients with such symptoms should see a psychiatrist and may require hospitalization.
The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.
Changes you can expect to experience when major depressive disorder treatment is effective include:
Even if you are noticing improvements in your depressive symptoms, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of relapse. Talk to a doctor or mental health professional if you notice that your depressive symptoms are returning or worsening at any point during your treatment.
When to Ask for Additional Help
If you do not notice any improvement in your symptoms or they seem to be getting worse, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. There are a number of other options available for treatment-resistant depression including:
ECT and other types of brain-stimulation are typically only used for patients who have not responded to medication and psychotherapy.
What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?
Other Steps You Can Take
Making lifestyle changes is an important part of treating major depressive disorder. There are a number of things that you can do to help supplement your treatment and find relief. Some of these changes can help alleviate symptoms in the short-term and aid your long-term recovery.
Exercise May Be Helpful
Research has shown that regular physical activity can not only help prevent depression, it can also help alleviate symptoms. The idea that exercise may actually help treat depressive symptoms has been the subject of debate, but some evidence suggests that the beneficial effects may have actually been underestimated.
A meta-analysis of the research concluded that exercise has a large and significant beneficial effect on depression (including major depressive disorder), supporting the idea that exercise is an evidence-based depression treatment.
The Mental Health Benefits of Physical Exercise
Stick to a Schedule
It can also be helpful to resume some of the activities that you enjoyed before you began experiencing symptoms of depression. Depression can not only cause you to lose interest in the things you used to be passionate about; it can also make it difficult to stay on top of daily chores like doing the dishes or laundry. Seeing these things pile up makes it even more difficult to feel upbeat and motivated.
So when you are trying to manage your symptoms, focus on doing small things each day that will helprestore your routinesand sense of normalcy. If you have fallen out of a routine, create some sort of schedule that provides structure in your day.
Get Enough Sleep
Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are common symptoms of depression. You may want to try relaxation techniques or even attend cognitive behavioral therapy specifically to address your insomnia, which may be effective for some people with depression.In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a medication to help you sleep.
When undergoing treatment for major depressive disorder, it is important to communicate with a doctor or therapist about how you are feeling, and give your treatment time to work. If you are on medication, be sure to follow the prescribed dosage as directed. If your symptoms worsen or you experience other side effects, talk to a doctor immediately.
Major depressive disorder is a serious condition, but it is treatable. It may take some time to find the right approach for your needs, but understanding what you can expect in terms of treatment effects can help you better recognize how your treatment is working.
Why It’s Important to Seek Treatment for Depression
18 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vares EA, Salum GA, Spanemberg L, Caldieraro MA, Fleck MP.Depression dimensions: Integrating clinical signs and symptoms from the perspectives of clinicians and patients. Laks J, ed.PLoS ONE.2015;10(8):e0136037. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136037National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Mayo Clinic.Depression (major depressive disorder).Chiovato L, Magri F, Carlé A.Hypothyroidism in context: Where we’ve been and where we’re going.Adv Ther. 2019;36(Suppl 2):47-58. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8Harmer CJ, Duman RS, Cowen PJ.How do antidepressants work? New perspectives for refining future treatment approaches.Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4(5):409-418. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30015-9Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy.Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):105-109. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107Health Quality Ontario.Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment.Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2017;17(15):1-167.Boschloo L, Bekhuis E, Weitz ES, et al.The symptom-specific efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2019;18(2):183-191. doi:10.1002/wps.20630National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T.Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1401-1407. doi:10.2147/PPA.S110632Stübner S, Grohmann R, Greil W, et al.Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior as rare adverse events of antidepressant medication: Current report from the AMSP multicenter drug safety surveillance project.International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.2018;21(9):814-821. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy048Bruijniks SJ, Bosmans J, Peeters FP, et al.Frequency and change mechanisms of psychotherapy among depressed patients: study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial comparing twice-weekly versus once-weekly sessions of CBT and IPT.BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:137. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0532-8American Psychological Association.How long will it take for treatment to work?McCue M, Sarkey S, Eramo A, et al.Using the goal attainment scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.BMC Psychiatry2021;21:622. doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03608-1Cusin C, Dougherty DD.Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS.Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2012;2:14. doi:10.1186/2045-5380-2-14Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, et al.Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias.Journal of Psychiatric Research.2016;77:42-51. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023Hou WK, Lai FT, Ben-Ezra M, Goodwin R.Regularizing daily routines for mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.J Glob Health. 2020;10(2):020315. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.020315Asarnow LD, Manber R.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in depression.Sleep Med Clin. 2019;14(2):177-184. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2019.01.009
18 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vares EA, Salum GA, Spanemberg L, Caldieraro MA, Fleck MP.Depression dimensions: Integrating clinical signs and symptoms from the perspectives of clinicians and patients. Laks J, ed.PLoS ONE.2015;10(8):e0136037. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136037National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Mayo Clinic.Depression (major depressive disorder).Chiovato L, Magri F, Carlé A.Hypothyroidism in context: Where we’ve been and where we’re going.Adv Ther. 2019;36(Suppl 2):47-58. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8Harmer CJ, Duman RS, Cowen PJ.How do antidepressants work? New perspectives for refining future treatment approaches.Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4(5):409-418. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30015-9Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy.Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):105-109. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107Health Quality Ontario.Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment.Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2017;17(15):1-167.Boschloo L, Bekhuis E, Weitz ES, et al.The symptom-specific efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2019;18(2):183-191. doi:10.1002/wps.20630National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T.Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1401-1407. doi:10.2147/PPA.S110632Stübner S, Grohmann R, Greil W, et al.Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior as rare adverse events of antidepressant medication: Current report from the AMSP multicenter drug safety surveillance project.International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.2018;21(9):814-821. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy048Bruijniks SJ, Bosmans J, Peeters FP, et al.Frequency and change mechanisms of psychotherapy among depressed patients: study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial comparing twice-weekly versus once-weekly sessions of CBT and IPT.BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:137. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0532-8American Psychological Association.How long will it take for treatment to work?McCue M, Sarkey S, Eramo A, et al.Using the goal attainment scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.BMC Psychiatry2021;21:622. doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03608-1Cusin C, Dougherty DD.Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS.Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2012;2:14. doi:10.1186/2045-5380-2-14Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, et al.Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias.Journal of Psychiatric Research.2016;77:42-51. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023Hou WK, Lai FT, Ben-Ezra M, Goodwin R.Regularizing daily routines for mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.J Glob Health. 2020;10(2):020315. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.020315Asarnow LD, Manber R.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in depression.Sleep Med Clin. 2019;14(2):177-184. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2019.01.009
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vares EA, Salum GA, Spanemberg L, Caldieraro MA, Fleck MP.Depression dimensions: Integrating clinical signs and symptoms from the perspectives of clinicians and patients. Laks J, ed.PLoS ONE.2015;10(8):e0136037. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136037National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Mayo Clinic.Depression (major depressive disorder).Chiovato L, Magri F, Carlé A.Hypothyroidism in context: Where we’ve been and where we’re going.Adv Ther. 2019;36(Suppl 2):47-58. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8Harmer CJ, Duman RS, Cowen PJ.How do antidepressants work? New perspectives for refining future treatment approaches.Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4(5):409-418. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30015-9Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy.Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):105-109. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107Health Quality Ontario.Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment.Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2017;17(15):1-167.Boschloo L, Bekhuis E, Weitz ES, et al.The symptom-specific efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2019;18(2):183-191. doi:10.1002/wps.20630National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T.Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1401-1407. doi:10.2147/PPA.S110632Stübner S, Grohmann R, Greil W, et al.Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior as rare adverse events of antidepressant medication: Current report from the AMSP multicenter drug safety surveillance project.International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.2018;21(9):814-821. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy048Bruijniks SJ, Bosmans J, Peeters FP, et al.Frequency and change mechanisms of psychotherapy among depressed patients: study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial comparing twice-weekly versus once-weekly sessions of CBT and IPT.BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:137. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0532-8American Psychological Association.How long will it take for treatment to work?McCue M, Sarkey S, Eramo A, et al.Using the goal attainment scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.BMC Psychiatry2021;21:622. doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03608-1Cusin C, Dougherty DD.Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS.Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2012;2:14. doi:10.1186/2045-5380-2-14Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, et al.Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias.Journal of Psychiatric Research.2016;77:42-51. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023Hou WK, Lai FT, Ben-Ezra M, Goodwin R.Regularizing daily routines for mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.J Glob Health. 2020;10(2):020315. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.020315Asarnow LD, Manber R.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in depression.Sleep Med Clin. 2019;14(2):177-184. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2019.01.009
Vares EA, Salum GA, Spanemberg L, Caldieraro MA, Fleck MP.Depression dimensions: Integrating clinical signs and symptoms from the perspectives of clinicians and patients. Laks J, ed.PLoS ONE.2015;10(8):e0136037. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0136037
National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.
Mayo Clinic.Depression (major depressive disorder).
Chiovato L, Magri F, Carlé A.Hypothyroidism in context: Where we’ve been and where we’re going.Adv Ther. 2019;36(Suppl 2):47-58. doi:10.1007/s12325-019-01080-8
Harmer CJ, Duman RS, Cowen PJ.How do antidepressants work? New perspectives for refining future treatment approaches.Lancet Psychiatry. 2017;4(5):409-418. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30015-9
Ribeiro Â, Ribeiro JP, von Doellinger O.Depression and psychodynamic psychotherapy.Braz J Psychiatry. 2018;40(1):105-109. doi:10.1590/1516-4446-2016-2107
Health Quality Ontario.Psychotherapy for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder: A health technology assessment.Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 2017;17(15):1-167.
Boschloo L, Bekhuis E, Weitz ES, et al.The symptom-specific efficacy of antidepressant medication vs. cognitive behavioral therapy in the treatment of depression: results from an individual patient data meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2019;18(2):183-191. doi:10.1002/wps.20630
National Library of Medicine. MedlinePlus.Antidepressants.
Cartwright C, Gibson K, Read J, Cowan O, Dehar T.Long-term antidepressant use: patient perspectives of benefits and adverse effects.Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1401-1407. doi:10.2147/PPA.S110632
Stübner S, Grohmann R, Greil W, et al.Suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior as rare adverse events of antidepressant medication: Current report from the AMSP multicenter drug safety surveillance project.International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology.2018;21(9):814-821. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy048
Bruijniks SJ, Bosmans J, Peeters FP, et al.Frequency and change mechanisms of psychotherapy among depressed patients: study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial comparing twice-weekly versus once-weekly sessions of CBT and IPT.BMC Psychiatry. 2015;15:137. doi:10.1186/s12888-015-0532-8
American Psychological Association.How long will it take for treatment to work?
McCue M, Sarkey S, Eramo A, et al.Using the goal attainment scale adapted for depression to better understand treatment outcomes in patients with major depressive disorder switching to vortioxetine: a phase 4, single-arm, open-label, multicenter study.BMC Psychiatry2021;21:622. doi:10.1186/s12888-021-03608-1
Cusin C, Dougherty DD.Somatic therapies for treatment-resistant depression: ECT, TMS, VNS, DBS.Biol Mood Anxiety Disord. 2012;2:14. doi:10.1186/2045-5380-2-14
Schuch FB, Vancampfort D, Richards J, et al.Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias.Journal of Psychiatric Research.2016;77:42-51. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023
Hou WK, Lai FT, Ben-Ezra M, Goodwin R.Regularizing daily routines for mental health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.J Glob Health. 2020;10(2):020315. doi:10.7189/jogh.10.020315
Asarnow LD, Manber R.Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in depression.Sleep Med Clin. 2019;14(2):177-184. doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2019.01.009
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