Depression treatment and support

Depression is a common mental health condition that affects 1 in 6 or 16% of adults in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Once diagnosed, many effective methods for treating depression can see an improvement in your condition.

Depression treatment options

There are four main categories of treatment for depression. They are:

• Psychological – talking therapies or counselling
• Pharmacological – antidepressant medication
• Alternative treatments – such as neuromodulation or rTMS and nutrition
• Hospital and residential treatment – in an intensive inpatient setting
• Lifestyle changes – including relaxation, exercise and sleep For many people, a combination of treatment types works well in treating depression.

First steps to treatment: getting a diagnosis

A depression screening test won’t diagnose depression, but it can help you to make sense of how you’ve been feeling recently and give you some direction on what you should do next.

Diagnosing depression starts with a healthcare professional assessing your symptoms, medical history and overall mental health. They may ask how long you've felt down, the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) outlines criteria for diagnosing depression. Five or more of the following nine symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks and at least one must be either ‘little interest or pleasure in doing things’ or ‘feeling down, depressed or hopeless’:

• Little interest or pleasure in doing things
• Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
• Feeling tired or having little energy
• Poor appetite or overeating
• Feeling bad about yourself, for example, feeling as though you’re a failure or have let yourself or your family down
• Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading a newspaper or watching television
• Moving or speaking so slowly that other people have noticed. The opposite is also a symptom - being so fidgety or restless that you are noticeably moving around a lot more than usual
• Thoughts that you’d be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way

Psychological treatment for depression

Therapy for depression helps you to understand, manage and reduce your symptoms by addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of depression.

Therapy supports you to develop new coping skills, increase your self-awareness and learn strategies to tackle the underlying causes of depression.

There are four main psychological treatments for depression as outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Many other types of therapy can be effective for depression. You’ll work with a mental health professional, like a therapist, to decide which therapy will be best for you.

Therapy can take place in individual or group settings. Individual therapy, which can take place face-to-face or online, allows for a private setting where you can build a one-to-one relationship with a therapist.

Group therapy is an involves working alongside other people facing similar challenges. This peer support can provide motivation, encouragement and a sense of shared understanding, which can be powerful in recovery.

Medications for depression

The main antidepressant medications recommended by NICE work by influencing the brain's neurotransmitter systems, impacting mood and emotional regulation in unique ways:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and sertraline, work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and happiness.
• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), including venlafaxine and duloxetine, enhance both serotonin and norepinephrine activity. Norepinephrine is linked to alertness and energy, which can help reduce symptoms like fatigue and low motivation.
• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline, work by increasing levels of norepinephrine and serotonin and blocking acetylcholine, which can result in a calming effect. These medications are often considered when other antidepressants haven’t been effective.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like phenelzine, prevent the breakdown of key mood-related neurotransmitters including serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine.

Each medication type works differently and prescription is based on individual needs.

Alternative treatments

Alternative treatments for depression are neither psychological nor pharmacological but can be used if other methods don’t bring enough relief or can be used alongside therapy or medication.

Hospital and residential treatment

In some cases, you might need residential depression treatment within a hospital. This is especially the case if your depression is severe, or accompanied by significant risk factors.

Residential mental health hospitals provides specialist inpatient treatment for depression, intensive therapy, medication management, structured routines and a supportive environment. It gives you the chance to spend some time away from any outside influences that might be making your depression worse.

Residential depression treatment is likely to be the best option for people who need a higher level of support to stabilise their condition.

Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in coping with depression. A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, relaxation techniques and doing things you enjoy can significantly improve your wellbeing. 

Making this type of lifestyle adjustment can work well alongside other treatment approaches and enhance the effectiveness of depression management strategies.

First course of treatment

The first line of treatment that’s recommended for depression depends on the severity of depression symptoms, personal preferences and other factors:

• Some people may prefer therapy over medication, while others may be open to both
• A person’s response to previous treatments or a family history of depression may influence treatment choices
• If other health conditions like anxiety or chronic pain are present, the choice of medication or therapy may be limited
• If there are concerns about self-harm or suicide, more intensive treatments are prioritised

Accessing depression treatment 

Private depression treatment 

Private depression treatment services are available wherever you are in the UK. These are typically funded either through private medical insurance (PMI), self-pay, or other corporate funding arrangements. 
While private treatment comes with cost factors, you can gain access to treatment quickly. Private treatment will come with the very best treatment programmes, supported by teams of expert staff and outstanding facilities. 

Priory provides private depression treatment from hospitals and wellbeing centres across the UK. Depending on the severity of your depression, we offer different levels of treatment tailored specifically to your needs, keeping you at the centre of your care.

Treatments may be delivered through:

Free depression support services

It is possible to get support for depression from a range of free services.

• The NHS provides various services which you can discuss with your GP. Be aware that these services are often in high demand, so you may have to join a long waiting list
• If you need urgent support, the Samaritans offer free 24-hour listening and text support. You can call 116 123, visit the Samaritans website, or email [email protected]
• Have a look through the Hub of Hope, an extensive directory of free and paid services across the UK