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Even in the most severe cases, depression is highly treatable. The earlier it is recognized, the quicker the recovery process and the less likely for relapse.

The first step to getting treatment is to visit your doctor. Some side-effects from certain medication, viruses and thyroid disorder can cause the same symptoms as depression. Your doctor, after running physical tests, an interview and/or lab tests, may eliminate these alternative causes. If these medical conditions are not present, then the doctor should conduct a psychological exam or refer you to a mental health professional. The doctor or mental health professional will conduct a complete diagnostic evaluation. He or she should discuss any family history of depression, and get a complete history of symptoms, e.g., when they started, how long they have lasted, their severity, and whether they have occurred before and if so, how they were treated. He or she should also ask if the patient is using alcohol or drugs, and whether the patient is thinking about death or suicide.

Once diagnosed, a person with depression can be treated with a number of methods. The most common treatments are medication and psychotherapy.

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