Questions about a Disorder?
Depression Drugs & Medications
If you start on medication, remember that it is important not to stop taking it abruptly. Certain drugs must be tapered off under the supervision of a doctor or bad reactions can occur. Make sure you talk to the doctor who prescribed your medication before you stop taking it. If you are having trouble with side effects, it’s possible that they can be eliminated by adjusting how much medication you take and when you take it.
Most insurance plans, including health maintenance organizations (HMOs), will cover treatment for mental health disorders. Check with your insurance company and find out. If you don’t have insurance, your local city or county government may offer mental health care at a public mental health center that charges people according to how much they are able to pay.
Antidepressants can help relieve the feelings of sadness and improve your mood. Doctors take into consideration your age, other medical conditions, and medication side effects in choosing the appropriate medication.
Depression Drugs & Medications
This list of drugs and medications are often used to treat depression. While we have attempted to include most of the drugs used in the mental health field for depression, there are likely some that we have missed. Also, this list and any information related to drugs and medications on this website should ONLY be used as supplemental information, and should in no way be used in place of your physician or healthcare practioner.
Diagnosis
Depression consists of several types of disorders, the most common of which are major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder. There are also other, less common types of depression.
Major Depressive Disorder
This is also called major depression, and is diagnosed when a patient experiences at least five symptoms of depression for 2 weeks or more and these symptoms make it difficult for them to function normally at work, school, or in their daily activities. The symptoms are sadness most of the day, loss of pleasure or interest in activites, significant weight change, insomnia or excessive sleep, agitated movement or very slow movements, fatigue or loss of energy, feeling worthless or guilty, indecisiveness and loss of concentration, thoughts of death or suicide.
Learn more about Depression Diagnosis
Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if you have symptoms of depression and could benefit from professional help.
Therapy
Get Help Immediately: Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800) 273-8255 or 911, or go to the nearest hospital if you start thinking about hurting yourself or somebody else or if you hear strange voices that nobody else seems to hear.
Call a doctor if:
- You cry a lot for no reason.
- Your depression is starting to affect your school, your work, or your family life.
- If you think you are feeling depressed because of the medications you are taking – DO NOT stop taking them or start changing them without consulting with a doctor first.
- You think you drink too much or a loved one has told you that you drink too much, you feel guilty about how much you drink, or the first thing that you drink in the mornings is alcohol.
Progress Tracker
Track your depression symptoms to identify patterns and help with your treatment plan. Our progress tracker can be printed or even shared with your healthcare professional electronically.
Progress tracking for depression
Depression Questionnaire
This simple questionnaire is designed to help you determine if you have symptoms of depression and could benefit from professional help.