When it comes to depression, there are a variety of treatment options available. These have been designed to address the complexities of this condition, and support people to get back on track. Treatment plans should be tailored to each person's specific needs, and a combination of approaches is likely to be the most effective.
In this guide, we’ll aim to provide you with valuable insights, evidence-based strategies, and a supportive approach to navigating depression treatment. Remember, depression is entirely treatable, even in the most severe of cases.
Talking therapies play a vital role in depression treatment. One of the most common types of depression therapy is a technique known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is used all over the world to treat lots of mental health conditions, including depression. It’s based on the principle that unhelpful, deep rooted thought patterns.
CBT works by identifying and changing your unhealthy thought patterns and any negative behaviours. This helps you to think in a more balanced way and challenge any negative assumptions you have.
It also helps you to learn coping mechanisms that you can use for the rest of your life. These allow you to recognise when you’re experiencing negative thoughts and respond to them in a healthy way. This reduces the likelihood of you becoming depressed again in the future. Find out more about CBT for depression.
Other therapies may also be beneficial in depression treatment, depending on your individual needs and preferences. These include:
Alongside CBT and other forms of therapy, medication can also be useful in treating depression. This can help to complement talking therapy and also acts as a further barrier against your depression.
However, for some people, antidepressants will be the first line of treatment for depression, especially when:
Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), can help regulate brain chemicals and alleviate symptoms.
It’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare professional to find the most suitable medication for you, understand its potential side effects and make sure you’re taking this as prescribed.
Alternative treatments for depression are also worth considering. Supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and herbal remedies like St John's Wort have shown some benefits when it comes to tackling mild to moderate depression.
Also, mind-body techniques such as yoga, meditation, and acupuncture can promote relaxation and emotional wellbeing, helping to reduce depression symptoms. Lastly, light therapy, specifically used for SAD, involves exposure to bright light to regulate your circadian rhythm and improve mood.
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 can provide specialist inpatient treatment for depression, offering intensive therapy, medication management, structured routines and a supportive environment. It also 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.
In addition to professional interventions, lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in coping with depression symptoms. A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, relaxation techniques, and doing things you enjoy, can significantly improve your wellbeing. These lifestyle adjustments can complement other treatment approaches and enhance the effectiveness of depression management strategies.
Remember, each person's experience with depression is unique, and treating it takes patience and collaboration. However, with the right support, it’s entirely possible for you to make a full recovery.
At Priory, we’re renowned for our comprehensive and specialised depression treatment options, providing people with a range of choices to suit their needs. Whether you're seeking depression treatment in London or require more flexible options elsewhere, we offer a variety of programmes to support you.
We will always learn about your unique circumstances before setting out any treatment options, so that we’re able to give you the support that works for you. Depending on the severity of your depression, we have a number of different treatment programmes that we can offer to you.
To ensure you get the most out of your treatment plan, each plan is tailor made to your specific needs and requirements, putting you at the centre of your care.
The treatment plans put in place by professionals can vary depending on what symptoms you're experiencing and the severity of those symptoms. As a result, treatments can be delivered via:
If you find that your feelings of sadness and hopelessness are overwhelming and are having a negative impact on your day-to-day life, this is a sign that you should consider reaching out for support.
You don't have to face this alone; depression is treatable and we can help you to take steps towards recovery. At Priory, we support thousands of people every year, helping them to address their depression and regain the enriching lives they deserve.
The cost of depression treatment at Priory varies depending on lots of different factors, including how long you need to stay with us for, the type of treatment you need and the location of the centre you’re being treated at. Our referrals team can explain all of this to you during your initial call with us.
Depression treatment at Priory can also be funded through your private medical insurance policy; we are a registered and approved provider for all of the UK’s leading private medical insurers. Call us today for more information.
We can provide depression treatment both privately and through the NHS at Priory.
However, depression treatment via the NHS can only be accessed by public bodies such as clinical commissioners and mental health trusts. If you would like to know more about the process for accessing treatment on the NHS, your first port of call will be to speak to your GP. It’s likely that you’ll need to join a waiting list for NHS services, which can vary depending on where you live and how severe your depression is. This can feel disheartening if you're distressed and not feeling like yourself.
Private depression treatment at Priory offers fast access to support, with waiting times that are significantly shorter than the national average. Our services can be either self-funded (meaning that you pay for this yourself), or funded via private medical insurance.
If you think you’re struggling with depression or have noticed that you’re showing some of the symptoms of depression, it’s really important that you speak to a professional. Without effective treatment, depression can get worse and can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. Getting help early is key.
You can speak to your GP, who can offer an initial mental health assessment and advice, or you can get fast access to private depression treatment with Priory.
Whichever avenue you take, there are a number of things you can do to prepare for your first contact with a mental health professional.
Depression is a fairly common mental health condition that affects people from all walks of life. Statistics collected on depression from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Office for National Statistics (ONS), estimate that around one in six people in the UK will experience depression at some point in their lives.
These numbers highlight the significance of this condition and emphasise the importance of raising awareness and understanding. Depression doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender or socioeconomic status; it can affect people from all backgrounds.
There are a number of different types of depression. Each type has distinct characteristics and triggers, and needs tailored treatment approaches. These include:
Without treatment, the symptoms you’re experiencing can get worse over time. You may experience a persistent decline in your mental and physical health, resulting in chronic feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a lack of interest in activities that were once important to you. Untreated depression can also have a negative impact on things like memory and concentration, significantly affecting your ability to work, study or maintain relationships. Over time, this can lead to social isolation, substance abuse as a means of self-medication and a higher risk of developing other mental health problems. Getting support for your depression is crucial in order to prevent these outcomes and improve your quality of life.
