Today, antidepressants (chiefly SSRIs and SNRIs) are still the first-line treatment for depression, but their effects vary across individuals, so one may need to try different antidepressants to find the correct one.[1] Talk therapy is usually used in conjunction with antidepressants. If antidepressants fail to improve symptoms, brain stimulation therapies such as electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation can be effective tools for medication-resistant depression.[2]
What are some of the main medical treatments for depression?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
The main medical treatments for depression include antidepressants (particularly SSRIs and SNRIs), which may require adjustments for individual effectiveness, and talk therapy can be used alongside them. For cases in which antidepressants are ineffective, brain stimulation therapies like electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation can be beneficial.