Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • Depression (sometimes known as clinical depression or severe depressive disorder) is a prevalent and significant mood illness.
  • It creates serious symptoms that impact how you think, feels, and cope with daily tasks like eating, working and sleeping.
  • The symptoms of depression should be present for at least weeks to be diagnosed as a depressive illness.

Depression (sometimes known as clinical depression or severe depressive disorder) is a prevalent and significant mood illness. It creates serious symptoms that impact how you think, feels, and cope with daily tasks like eating, working and sleeping. The symptoms of depression should be present for at least weeks to be diagnosed as a depressive illness.

The frequency of moderate or severe depression symptoms amongst adults all across the UK, including regions of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales increased after the pandemic began, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). From July 2019 and February 2020, predominance was 10 percent, but by May 2020, it had risen to 19 percent, and by January to April 2021, it had risen to 21 percent. The percentage of persons with moderate or severe symptoms of depression had dropped to 17 percent by August to September 2021.

For major depression, a variety of therapeutic interventions are available. Symptoms of depression can be relieved by medication alone or short psychotherapy (– for example, interpersonal therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy). There is also evidence that short intensive psychotherapy (CBT) can help people avoid relapse.

However, medication alone is often insufficient treatment for young adults and children. Furthermore, in all clinical groups, a combo of medicine and psychotherapy produces the most rapid and long-lasting results. Combination treatment has also been linked to substantially larger rates of remission of symptoms of depression, better overall quality of life, and improved treatment adherence, particularly when intervention is needed for more than three months.

Talking with a therapist can assist you in developing strategies for dealing with negative emotions. Group or family therapy sessions could also be beneficial.

When a person meets with a qualified therapist to discover and learn to manage the variables that lead to specific mental health disorders, like depression, psychotherapy, sometimes known as “talk therapy,” is being utilized.

Psychotherapy has indeed been found to help persons suffering from depression and other mental diseases improve their symptoms.

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Psychotherapy is frequently used in conjunction with prescription medications. Psychotherapy comes in a variety of forms, and some people are responding more to one than the other.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

A therapist works with you in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify dysfunctional cognitive patterns and determine how they may be creating detrimental behaviours, attitudes, and thoughts about yourself.

Your psychotherapist may give you “homework,” such as exercising replacing negative ideas with more happy thoughts.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is comparable to cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), but it focuses on affirmation or embracing rather than resisting unpleasant thoughts, emotions, or actions.

The argument goes that if you believe that change can happen and make a management plan, you will be ready to accept that progress is possible.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a type of talk therapy that aims to support you in better understanding and coping with your daily life. Psychodynamic treatment is founded on the premise that your current reality is formed by your experiences as a child, both conscious and unconscious.

Your counselor will ask you to think about and explore your upbringing and childhood experiences to properly appreciate and deal with your life in this type of therapy.

Light therapy

Exposure to white light can help control your mood and alleviate depressive symptoms. Seasonal affective disorders, also known as major depressive disorder with a repetitive pattern, is widely treated with light treatment.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Electrical currents are used to cause a seizure in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which has been found to help persons with depressed moods. It is utilised in those who have serious depression or depression that hasn’t responded to previous treatments or antidepressants.

You will be given an anaesthetic medication that will put you to rest for about 10 minutes while in an ECT session.

Your healthcare provider will put 4 electrodes on particular parts of your brain and install cardiac monitoring patches on your upper chest. The healthcare professionals will then provide a few seconds of brief electrical pulses. You will not convulse or sense the electrical current, and you will wake up around minutes later.

Disorientation or confusion, soreness, muscle aches, nausea, and headaches are all possible side effects.

Individuals may suffer memory issues, although these normally go away within a few weeks or even months of treatment.

Antidepressants come in a variety of forms, such as those listed below. Make sure to consult with a pharmacist or doctor about any serious side effects.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs that block the reuptake of serotonin (SSRIs). SSRIs are frequently prescribed by doctors. These medications are thought to be safer and have fewer adverse effects than other forms of antidepressants. Vilazodone, sertraline, paroxetine, fluoxetine, escitalopram, and citalopram are all SSRIs.

Inhibitors of serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake (SNRIs). Duloxetine, levomilnacipran, desvenlafaxine, and venlafaxine are examples of SNRIs.

Atypical antidepressants. These antidepressants do not fit into any of the antidepressant classifications. Bupropion, vortioxetine, trazodone, nefazodone, and mirtazapine are among them.

Tricyclic antidepressants. Imipramine, doxepin, desipramine, trimipramine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline and Imipramine are examples of older antidepressants that can be quite successful but have more serious side effects than modern antidepressants. As a result, tricyclics are rarely administered until an SSRI has failed to relieve your symptoms.

Inhibitors of monoamine oxidase (MAOIs). Since MAOIs, like phenelzine, isocarboxazid and tranylcypromine can have substantial adverse effects, they are normally recommended only when other medications have failed. Because of severe (or even fatal) interactions with foods, such as certain wines, pickles and cheeses as well as some pharmaceuticals and natural supplements, using MAOIs necessitates a careful diet. Selegiline, a novel MAOI that comes in the form of a patch that clings to the skin, may have fewer adverse effects than existing MAOIs. These drugs can’t be taken together with SSRIs.

Other drugs are available. Other drugs can be combined with an antidepressant to boost its effectiveness. The doctor may suggest combining two antidepressants or adding antipsychotics or mood stabilisers to your treatment plan. For short-term use, stimulant and anti-anxiety drugs may be administered.

Choosing the best medication

If a member of the family has had success with antidepressants, it’s possible that one of them could benefit you. Alternatively, you may have to try several drugs or a combo of medications before finding one that fits you. This will take time, as some drugs take many weeks or longer to fully take effect, and adverse effects will fade as your body adapts.

Antidepressants have an effect on you based on your inherited features. When appropriate, the results of genetic tests (conducted by cheek swab or blood test) may provide insight into how your body systems may react to a specific antidepressant. Other factors, other than genetics, can influence your pharmaceutical reaction.

The dangers of discontinuing medicine suddenly

Stopping an antidepressant before consulting your doctor is a bad idea. Antidepressants are not regarded as addictive, but they can cause physical dependence (which isn’t the same as addiction).

Withdrawal-like symptoms can occur if you stop therapy quickly or skip several doses, and discontinuing hastily can lead to an exacerbation of depression. Speak to a doctor to reduce your dose gradually and carefully.

Pregnancy and antidepressants

Certain antidepressants may enhance the health hazard to your unborn kid or breastfeeding child if you are nursing or pregnant. When you become pregnant or intend to become pregnant, consult your doctor.

Antidepressants and the risk of suicide

Although most antidepressants are typically safe, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates all antidepressants to have a black box warning, the most serious pharmaceutical warning. When children, adolescents, and young adults below the age of 25 begin taking antidepressants, they may have an upsurge in suicidal thoughts or behavior, particularly during the first few weeks or if the dose is altered.

Those on an antidepressant must be closely monitored for worsening signs of depression or strange behavior, particularly when beginning a new medicine or changing their dosage. If you or somebody you know is having suicidal thoughts while taking an antidepressant, seek medical care right once.

Bear in mind that antidepressants, by enhancing mood, are more likely to minimise suicidal ideation in the big scheme of things.

Depression may not always be responsive to medication. If your symptoms do not improve, your healthcare provider may suggest different treatment options.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are two choices for treating depression and improving your mood.

For people who have not benefited sufficiently from antidepressants, TMS may be an alternative. TMS uses a treatment coil that is put against the scalp to deliver short magnetic pulses to neuron cells in the brain that are engaged in depression and emotional regulation.

Talk with your doctor about other options for treating depression. Some people combine regular psychotherapy and medicine with alternative therapies. Here are a few examples:

Meditation. Depression is triggered by stress, worry, and anger, but meditation can help you adjust how your brain reacts to these feelings. Meditation activities have been shown in studies to help relieve symptoms of depression and reduce the risk of relapse.

Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a type of Chinese traditional medicine that can help with depressive symptoms. Acupuncture is the use of needles to activate certain parts of the body to heal a variety of ailments. Acupuncture may improve the effectiveness of therapeutic therapies and may be as helpful as counseling, according to research.

Exercise

three to five days a week, plan for 30 minutes of exercise. Exercising can boost your body’s release of endorphins, which are feel-good hormones.

The use of alcohol and other substances should be avoided.

For a short time, consuming alcohol or abusing drugs may make us feel better. However, these medications have the potential to exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety in the long term.

Learn how to set boundaries.

Depression symptoms can be exacerbated by feeling overburdened. Setting boundaries in both your business and personal life might improve your mood.

Follow your treatment regimen to the letter. Make sure you don’t miss any therapy appointments and sessions. Do not forget to take your meds, even if you are feeling alright. If you stop consuming it, your depressive symptoms may return, and you may also have symptoms of withdrawal. Understand that feeling well will take time.

Find out more about depression. Knowing more about your disease might help you feel more empowered and motivated to stick to your treatment plan. Ask your family to educate themselves on depression so that they can better understand and accept you.

Keep an eye out for warning signals. Discover what might be causing your depression symptoms with the help of your therapist or doctor. Make a strategy for what you’ll do if your condition worsens. If you notice any difference in your symptoms or how you behave, call your doctor or therapist. Request assistance from family or friends in spotting warning flags.

Look after yourself.

Taking proper care of yourself might also help to alleviate depressive symptoms. This involves getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food, preventing negative company, and engaging in pleasurable hobbies.

Various types of supplements have been shown to help with depression symptoms.

S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)

According to certain studies, this chemical may help with depressive symptoms. The effects were most noticeable in persons who were using SSRIs. However, the findings of this study are inconclusive, and more research is required.

5-hydroxytryptophan is a kind of tryptophan that is found in (5-HTP)

5-HTP has been shown to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain, which may help to alleviate symptoms. When you eat tryptophan, a protein-building block, the body makes this substance. However, more research is required.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids.

The importance of these critical fats in neural development and brain function cannot be overstated. Supplementing your diet with omega-3 fatty acids may aid to alleviate depression symptoms. However, some information is contradictory, and much more research is required.

Before taking a supplement, consult your doctor because they may react with other medicines or have side effects.

Vitamins

Vitamins are necessary for a variety of biological activities. According to research, 2 vitamins are particularly beneficial for alleviating depressive symptoms:

B-12 and B-6 vitamins are essential for brain health. When the vitamin B levels have dropped, you’re more likely to experience depression.

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, is essential for heart, bone and brain health. Further research is needed to see if there is a connection between vitamin D insufficiency and depression.

Several herbs, pills, and vitamins promise to aid with depression symptoms, however, most haven’t been shown beneficial in clinical trials.

The therapist and other healthcare professionals at premium inpatient rehab across Wales, North Ireland and Scotland have a special emphasis on how to improve your coping mechanisms. Some of these include the following:

  • How to make your life easier. When feasible, reduce your commitments and create attainable objectives for yourself. When you’re feeling depressed, give yourself a chance to do less.
  • Make a journal entry. As part of treatment, blogging, journaling or writing may help you to feel better by letting you vent your sadness, rage, anxiety, and other emotions.
  • Read trustworthy self-help books and visit respectable self-help websites. Your therapist or doctor may be able to suggest books or websites that you should check out.
  • Make a list of helpful organizations. Several organizations across the UK provide information, support networks, counseling, and other resources and support people coping with depression. Employee support programmes and religious organizations may also be able to assist with mental health issues.
  • Do not isolate yourself. Make an effort to engage in social events and meet up with friends or family regularly. Depression support groups might help you to connect with others who are dealing with similar issues and share your experiences.
  • Learn how to relax and cope with stress. Yoga, gradual muscular relaxation, meditation, and tai chi are among the examples.
  • Make a schedule for yourself. Make a schedule for your day. To keep organized, you might find it helpful to compile a list of daily chores, use sticky notes as reminders, or utilise a planner.
  • When you are low, do not make crucial decisions. When you are depressed, avoid deciding because you might not be thinking straight.

Depression can be so serious in certain people that they require hospitalisation. This may be required if you are unable to take proper care of yourself or if you are in urgent danger of injuring yourself or others. A luxury inpatient psychiatric care in the UK might help you be safe and calm until your emotions improve.

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Several individuals may benefit from partial hospitalisation or day therapy programmes. These programmes offer outpatient support and counseling to help people manage their symptoms.

An Upscale treatment center for depression across London, Ireland and Scotland will keep family members informed about the treatment program as it progresses, as well as all of the amenities and activities available. Spend some time learning about the latest treatment programmes, including the therapies and medications typically used and practised in luxury depression treatment centres, before meeting with the center’s head psychologist, psychiatrist or physician. This will assist you to communicate with the professionals and showing them that you are enthusiastic about the program.

According to a high scale survey, roughly 20 percent of people over the age of 55 suffer from mental health issues. Inquire about the center’s specialist treatment program for elderly patients to guarantee that your grandparents or parents receive the finest possible care.

Even after treatment, most high-end depression treatment centres across Manchester, Surrey, London and numerous counties of England maintain their patients’ confidentiality. Many executives enter premium and executive depression treatment centres under a confidentiality contract to safeguard their image and continue their employment following treatment. Inside the center, you can attend individual or group therapy sessions, and a personal counselor from the treatment institution may give aftercare support.

A reputed luxury depression treatment center should be ready to offer you or a close one with the best care possible.

FAQs

Why are women more prone to depression than men?
Women are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression. Approximately 20 percent of females will have at least one depressive episode over their lifespan. Several potential reasons and factors related to women’s greater risk of depression are being investigated by scientists. Women’s depression rates may be connected to physiological, cycle of life, hormonal, and psychological factors that are unique to women. Hormones, for instance, have been found to change neurochemistry, affecting moods and emotions.
What strategies are in place to improve depression treatment?
Doctors are trying to figure out how to quickly identify, diagnose, and treat depression in patients of all ages. An essential goal is to investigate ways for personalising depression care, like finding traits of the individual that predict which therapies are more likely to succeed. Moreover, holistic care at premium depression treatment centres that treat the patient as a whole with body, mind and spiritual aspects should be employed in the treatment of depression.

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