last updated 4/4/24
In general, there are two pathways for pill-based treatment of depression. Each is suited to a particular kind of depression. (See a description of these types of depression if they are not familiar.)
Type of Depression | Pill Treatment |
Single Episode | Antidepressants |
Lifelong | Antidepressants* |
Episodic | Mood stabilizers with antidepressant effects |
Mixed | Mood stabilizers with antidepressant effects |
“Antidepressants” include pills like:
- fish oil/omega-3 fatty acids
- bupropion/Wellbutrin
- fluoxetine/Prozac
- sertraline/Zoloft
- citalopram/Celexa
- venlafaxine/Effexor
… and several of their cousins. Non-pill antidepressants (besides self-change and psychotherapies) include light therapy, transcranial magnetic therapy (TMS), and ketamine.
But there’s another whole group of “antidepressants” — the ones we use for Episodic and Mixed depressions. These are “mood stabilizers with antidepressant effects”, including a non-pill approach called Social Rhythm Therapy. The medications are lamotrigine, low-dose lithium (a different medication than full-dose lithium used for mania), quetiapine and lurasidone.
Each of these pathways can be very helpful. They can also do harm if you get on the wrong path. Which path is best for you? That depends on which kind of depression you have.
Before you take an antidepressant, make sure you don’t have the Episodic or Mixed type of depression. Take the MoodCheck questionnaire to for help figuring this out. Even if you think you have a Single-Episode depression, MoodCheck is still a good idea, because your one episode could be the beginning of more, and the questionnaire can help you recognize that possibility.
Lots of places to go next on this site. Your MoodCheck results are one of the best guides. Or take one of the links below.
Links