In discussing treatments for depression first we must take the time to explore the medical condition for this somewhat puzzling and potentially debilitating condition.
According to the American Medical Association depression is defined as the daily presence for 2 weeks of at least five of nine symptoms.
Those symptoms, of which one symptom must be either melancholy mood or loss of pleasure, include melancholy mood or sadness (sometimes experienced as apathy or irritability) for most of the day; loss of pleasure in practically all activities, particularly ones the person previously enjoyed; disturbed appetite or either weight gain or loss; and disturbed sleep, particularly the inability to sleep thought the night (insomnia).
Other symptoms include slowed or agitated physical activity; fatigue or very low energy, often leading to a diminished or nonexistent sex drive; feelings of worthlessness, low self-esteem, or inappropriate guilt; difficulty concentrating and thinking; and morbid or suicidal thoughts or actions.
  Treatments for depression are divided into two major areas of focus, behavioral therapy and medication.
There has been a large amount of research comparing the effectiveness of these treatments.
Current research gives a slight edge to behavioral therapy.
Of the behavioral therapies cognitive therapy seems to be the one treatment that is receiving the most positive feedback due to its success in preventing depression relapse.
  Studies show that either a single medication or a combination of medications to be effective approximately 90% of the time.
This number does not necessarily point to a complete cure rather a decrease in symptoms.
The most often prescribed category of medication is SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
You may have already figured out how they work by the name.
SSRIs fight depression by increasing the available levels of serotonin and take from one to four weeks to show results.
Included in this category are such household names as Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac, and Paxil.
The list of side effects is long and if you are considering this type of depression treatment harmful side effects should be explored with your doctor.
     Cognitive behavior therapy is built around the idea that the way in which a person thinks about, perceives, and interprets events plays an essential role in their mental and physical health.
A cognitive therapist will work with the depressed person to find the root of his/her depression and try to formulate a plan for effectively addressing it.
While behavioral therapies have been shown to be effective on their own many psychologists believe that combining medication with behavioral therapy is the most effective approach, especially in severe cases.
  Additionally, large numbers of natural health minded people are combining natural remedies for depression with behavioral therapy.
These all natural depression treatments are very safe and have been shown to be effective in relieving a number of problematic depressive symptoms and promoting over emotional health.
If you are considering modifying your current prescription medical routine in favor of natural alternatives you should consult your doctor.