Meds or No Meds?

There may come a point during your depression treatment when your doctor or your therapist will suggest that you take antidepressant medication to alleviate your symptoms. Though the American Psychiatric Association’s current recommended treatment for depression includes a combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medications, many patients fear that they will become addicted or that they will feel even worse with the use of drugs.

Weigh the pros and cons of taking medication to treat your condition:

PRO: Antidepressants do help many people regain a sense of control over their emotions. Some even report weight loss and a reduced appetite as a result of taking medication.

CON: These medications only report a 50% to 70% success rate, and many patients need to try a few different medications before finding the right one. In some cases, those medications can have significant side effects, including insomnia, nausea, irritability and loss of sex drive.

There’s always a natural treatment plan—recent studies across the country have shown that psychotherapy and homeopathic treatments can be as effective as taking antidepressants. For a quick description of alternative therapies for depression, Web MD gives a good overview here.

If you are searching for a magic answer, you won't find one. But you will find what's right for you, so think carefully about different treatment options before committing to a plan. The time will be well worth it once you are free of your depression.