Whether you or someone you know is struggling with depression, odds are you’ve probably wondered if depression can be cured. The answer: while depression can’t be “cured” per se, it is highly treatable and manageable. Think of depression like other chronic medical conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. These conditions require ongoing care, but with proper treatment, people can live full and meaningful lives. Depression is similar in that with the right treatment and healthy habits, most people can feel much better and stay on track with their mental health over time.
What is Depression?
As one of the most common mental health conditions in the world, depression is a mood disorder that presents persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), breaks down depression into several subtypes, including:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Depression due to another medical condition
While there may be some symptom overlap between these, knowing the specific type of depression someone is experiencing can help providers recommend the most effective treatment.
Depression Symptoms
To be diagnosed with depression, at least five of the following symptoms must be present most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or more. At least one must be depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure:
- Sleep disturbances, like insomnia or oversleeping
- Loss of interest or pleasure
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Low energy or fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Appetite or weight changes
- Psychomotor agitation or slowing
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Depressed mood
Every patient with depression should be evaluated and monitored for suicidal risk. Tools like the PHQ-9, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) are commonly used assessments by providers to assess symptom severity, as well as progress throughout treatment.
Current Treatments for Depression
While depression is treatable, there’s no single treatment that will be effective for everyone. The most effective treatment plans include a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes, which has been shown to be superior to monotherapy.
Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is widely considered a first-line treatment for depression. It helps patients challenge their negative thought patterns and learn healthier coping skills. Other therapies for depression include:
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma-related depression
Therapy is effective when delivered one-on-one, in a group, on the telephone, or through guided self-help. However, it’s usually more successful when human support is involved.
Medication
There are several classes of antidepressants that providers use to treat depression:
- SSRIs (e.g., escitalopram and paroxetine)
- SNRIs (e.g., venlafaxine and duloxetine)
- Atypical antidepressants (e.g., bupropion and mirtazapine)
- Tricyclics and MAOIs (usually reserved for when other medications are ineffective)
Research shows that medications like escitalopram, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine can reduce depressive symptoms by more than 50% within eight weeks. However, medications may come with side effects like nausea, fatigue, or sexual dysfunction, which should be discussed with a provider before treatment.
Brain Stimulation
For treatment-resistant depression or individuals who can’t tolerate medications, brain stimulation treatments may be another option. These therapies include:
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
- Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
Essentially, brain stimulation procedures activate or inhibit your brain with electricity, either through electrode implantation in the brain or on the scalp. The electricity is thought to regulate brain activity that’s involved in mood and emotion. Out of the above, TMS is the most non-invasive and has a favorable side effect profile, making it a great option for those who struggle with side effects.
Alternative Depression Treatments
In addition to traditional treatments, there are several complementary approaches that can also improve your mental well-being:
- Regular exercise or movement
- Diets rich in whole foods
- Consistent, quality sleep
- Practicing mindfulness and meditation
- Light therapy, especially for seasonal depression
- Support groups or connecting with others
In fact, a recent study found that when traditional depression treatment is paired with lifestyle interventions, depressive symptoms decreased considerably over six months. Participants who used wearable tech like smartwatches saw even greater improvements in physical activity and dietary habits.
Newer Potential Treatments for Depression
Depression treatment continues to evolve rapidly, with researchers looking into treatments like ketamine and esketamine. These are rapid-acting antidepressants that are either administered via intravenous-ketamine or intranasal-ketamine and can relieve symptoms of treatment-resistant depression within hours to days, rather than the weeks usually needed for standard antidepressants. However, due to their potency, ketamine treatments are administered under strict clinical supervision. Another potential treatment for depression is an advanced form of TMS called accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS). aTMS delivers multiple magnetic stimulation sessions per day in a shorter time span and may offer quicker symptom relief and a quicker return to daily activities. This may make it a more efficient and potentially cost-effective option for those needing rapid results. Both treatments are still being studied, but evidence suggests they could offer hope for depression care.
How to Prevent Recurrent Depression Symptoms
While depression can be managed successfully, it does have a high relapse rate with over 50% of people relapsing within the first two years of a first-time depressive episode. To prevent recurrent depression, try:
- Continuing with maintenance treatment, even after symptoms improve
- Developing a relapse prevention plan with your provider
- Keeping up with healthy habits, like exercise, nutrition, and sleep
- Building resilience, emotional regulation skills, and coping skills
Just like with any other chronic condition, ongoing care is essential.
Explore Depression Treatment at Cura Behavioral Health
At Cura Behavioral Health, we understand that depression looks different for everyone. Our compassionate team provides personalized care plans that combine evidence-based therapy, medication management, and supportive lifestyle interventions. Whether this is your first depressive episode or you’re managing long-term symptoms, we’re here to help. Call us today to learn more.
Sources:
- Depression – StatPearls
- Depression Assessment Instruments – American Psychological Association
- Combination Antidepressant Therapy Is More Effective Than Monotherapy for Acute Severe Depression and Nonresponding Depression – American Family Physician
- Psychological treatment of depression: A systematic overview of a ‘Meta-Analytic Research Domain’ – Journal of Affective Disorders
- Pharmacologic Treatment of Depression – American Family Physician
- Brain Stimulation Therapies – National Institute of Mental Health
- Effectiveness of a lifestyle modification programme in the treatment of depression symptoms in primary care – Frontiers in Medicine
- Personalized use of ketamine and esketamine for treatment-resistant depression – Translational Psychiatry
- Accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (aTMS) to treat depression with treatment switching: study protocol of a pilot, randomized, delayed-start trial – Pilot and Feasability Studies
- Formerly depressed patients continue to focus on negative – American Psychological Association
