Medical
Medication. Medication may be helpful in managing depression. There are several different types of antidepressant medication, which are prescribed by doctors or psychiatrists. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Tricyclics (TCAs) and Irreversible Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are three common classes of antidepressants. They each work in different ways and have different applications. Like most medications there can be side effects. It’s best to ask about what options you have, how the medication will affect you, and how to take the medication safely.
Hospitalization. Hospitalization may be necessary if your depression is particularly severe or if you are suicidal. If you begin taking medication, you might also spend a short amount of time in the hospital so your doctors can make sure that it’s working effectively and gauge your side effects. Check out the Psychiatric hospitals or wards fact sheet for more info.
ECT. ECT is short for Electro Convulsive Therapy, sometimes called “shock therapy.” While under anesthetic, you receive a brief, mild electric shock, which lasts only a fraction of a second and is delivered to the brain through electrodes placed on the head. ECT has been shown to be effective in treating severe depression. Like any treatment it’s important to discuss the benefits, side-effects, and other options for ECT treatment. ECT is generally only used when no other treatment has helped to alleviate the depressive symptoms.
Hospitalization. Hospitalization may be necessary if your depression is particularly severe or if you are suicidal. If you begin taking medication, you might also spend a short amount of time in the hospital so your doctors can make sure that it’s working effectively and gauge your side effects. Check out the Psychiatric hospitals or wards fact sheet for more info.
ECT. ECT is short for Electro Convulsive Therapy, sometimes called “shock therapy.” While under anesthetic, you receive a brief, mild electric shock, which lasts only a fraction of a second and is delivered to the brain through electrodes placed on the head. ECT has been shown to be effective in treating severe depression. Like any treatment it’s important to discuss the benefits, side-effects, and other options for ECT treatment. ECT is generally only used when no other treatment has helped to alleviate the depressive symptoms.
