Clinical depression can be treated with pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and lifestyle changes
If your child is diagnosed as suffering from depression, there are three main approaches to treatment, often used in combination, and you should research all of them:
- Pharmacotherapy: Depression is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. Anti-depressants, when taken as prescribed, can correct this imbalance.
- Psychotherapy: Numerous forms of therapy exist, ranging from traditional psychoanalysis to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.) The right form of therapy is the one that treats your child’s depression
- Lifestyle changes: Getting adequate sleep, not using drugs and alcohol, and exercising can all reduce the symptoms of depression. Although these changes may not be enough to completely treat your child’s depression, a healthy lifestyle can make other interventions more effective.
