Treating Mood Disorders

Treatments for depression

Depression causes you to feel sad, worthless, helpless, or hopeless. You may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. Treatment includes medicines and talk therapy. Antidepressant medicines change levels of brain chemicals to help you feel better. It's important to use only the medicine and dose prescribed for you. Don't take someone else's medicine. Don't share your prescription with others.

Don’t stop medicines suddenly. Medicines usually need to be stopped over a period of time. This is to prevent symptoms from getting worse. It is also to protect you from possibly dangerous withdrawal effects. If you believe your medicine is not working, talk with your provider. You may need a different medicine or a combination of medicines.

Talk therapy is speaking with a trained counselor about your thoughts. Most people with depression do best with both medicine and talk therapy. Your healthcare provider may suggest electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) if these treatments don't work. This uses electric impulses to ease depression.

There are different types of depression. Treatment depends on the type of depression you have and how severe it is. In some cases treatment may be short-term (6 months or less). In other cases you may need medicines on a long-term basis.

Treatments for bipolar disorder

People with bipolar disorder have intense mood swings. They move between deep sadness and out-of-control highs. Bipolar disorder is a serious, complex, chronic illness. Like diabetes or heart disease, it needs to be managed for the rest of your life. This condition is treated with medicines such as lithium. They help even out moods and prevent mood swings. Regular blood tests make sure that your medicine is at a safe level that still works.

Just as for depression, don’t stop these medicines suddenly. Medicines usually need to be stopped over a period of time. This is to prevent symptoms from getting worse. It is also to protect you from possibly dangerous withdrawal effects.

Talk therapy can also help. Talking to a trained counselor about feelings and relationships can help you handle tough times. Your counselor can help identify triggers. They can give you ways to cope.

To learn more

The sources below can tell you more. They can also give names of clinics near you that offer treatment and free screenings.

• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance at www.dbsalliance.org or 800-826-3632

• International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression at www.ifred.org

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)   at www.nami.org or 800-950-NAMI (800-950-6264)

• National Institute of Mental Health at www.nimh.nih.gov or 866-615-6464

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 988 or 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). This resource is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can provide crisis intervention right away. They can also give you information on local resources. It is free and confidential.