Treatment for Depression

It’s normal for everyone to feel sad or upset from time-to-time, but if these feelings are intense, long-lasting or are affecting your quality of life, you might be suffering with depression. It’s important to understand that depression is an illness, not a sign of weakness, and is treatable even in the most severe of cases.

Depression causes you to experience persistent low moods. Sometimes, these can be so bad that you find that you can’t function effectively in your daily life. Other symptoms of depression may include:

• Intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness
• Losing interest in activities or hobbies you used to enjoy
• Anger, irritability and frustration
• Physical changes like disturbed sleep, disturbed appetite and low sex drive
• Difficulty concentrating, poor memory and not being motivated to do things

There are also lots of different types of depression, which can each cause different symptoms.

However, whatever your symptoms and whatever type of depression you’re struggling with, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and you don’t have to suffer in silence with depression. Seeking help can be daunting but it really is the most important step you can take. With the right treatment programme, we can help you to overcome your symptoms and get back on track.

Depression Treatment: What Is It and How Does It Work?

The good news is that once depression has been diagnosed, it is very treatable. At Priory, our specialists can provide the best treatment for depression available. We offer:

• Effective treatment that’s tailored to your needs, structured within National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines
• Lots of different therapy options
• Inpatient, outpatient, day care and online therapy treatment options
• Effective and safe medication to treat depression, if this is needed
• An expert team of consultants and therapists to provide assessment and treatment

Here, you can find out more about our depression treatment options and how you can start your journey towards recovery and wellbeing.

Can Depression be Cured?

With the right treatment, it’s possible for you to make a full and lasting recovery from depression. Effective treatment will help you to:

• Tackle your symptoms
• Understand the triggers for your depression
• Learn to look at situations in a more positive way
• Learn coping mechanisms to help you deal with your depression

The depression therapy that we provide aims to equip you with skills for life. This means that if you notice any depression symptoms re-surfacing in the future, or experience a trigger that has led to depression previously, you’ll be in the right position to evaluate the situation healthily and cope with how you’re feeling.

Depression Treatment Options

If you think you’re struggling with depression or have noticed that you’re showing some of the symptoms of depression, it’s really important that you speak to a professional. Without effective treatment, depression can get worse and can have a negative impact on all areas of your life. Getting help early is key.

Your first port of call would usually be your GP. They’ll be able to assess your symptoms and offer medical advice. They’ll also be able refer you for specialist depression treatment with a provider such as Priory, if this is needed. You can also contact us directly, on 0800 840 3219. Our friendly team will be able to answer any of your questions about depression treatment, and explain the next steps to you. If you feel you are in crisis with your depression and need urgent care, there are some crisis support helplines you can call, including your local NHS mental health helpline.

We will always learn about your unique circumstances before setting out any treatment options, so that we’re able to give you the support that works for you.

Depending on the severity of your depression, we have a number of different treatment programmes that we can offer to you. These include:

Outpatient Treatment

This is when you will attend one of our hospitals or wellbeing centres to receive a set number of hourly therapy sessions. These will take place with a consultant or therapist and usually happen on a weekly basis

Day Care 

During day care, you will attend one of our Priory sites for a certain number of days or half days each week, where you will receive depression therapy and treatment

Inpatient (Tesidential) Treatment 

This is when you will stay at one of our hospitals on a residential basis and receive round-the-clock support for your depression.

Online Therapy

We can provide depression therapy online via our dedicated platform, Priory Connect, meaning you can access help and support from the comfort of your home and at a time that’s convenient for you

We will work closely with you to decide which option is best for you.

Therapy for Depression

There are a whole range of therapy types and formats that we use to treat depression.

One of the most common types of depression therapy is a technique known as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)​. CBT is used all over the world to treat lots of mental health conditions, including depression. It’s based on the principle that depression arises and is made worse because of deep rooted, negative thought patterns.

CBT works by identifying and changing your unhealthy thought patterns and any negative behaviours. This helps you to think in a more balanced way and challenge any negative assumptions you have.

It also helps you to learn coping mechanisms that you can use for the rest of your life. These allow you to recognise when you’re experiencing negative thoughts and respond to them in a healthy way. This reduces the likelihood of you becoming depressed again in the future.

As well as CBT, we also offer a whole range of therapies to treat depression. These include:

• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT)
• Mindfulness
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)
• Compassion focused therapy (CFT)
• Emotion focused therapy (EFT)
• Person-centred therapy (PCT)
• Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)

Our types of therapy page has more detailed information on these therapies and how they’re effective in treating mental health conditions such as depression.

We also provide a number of therapy formats to treat depression. These include:

One-to-one Therapy 

This takes place on an individual basis between you and the most appropriate depression expert for your needs. It gives you the chance to talk in depth about your depression in a supportive environment. Your specialist will help you to tackle your concerns, and support you in achieving the best possible outcomes for you. This can happen face-to-face or online with Priory Connect.

Group Therapy 

This takes place with a group of other patients who are struggling with similar issues to you, or who have also been diagnosed with depression. During these sessions you will be encouraged to share your experiences and offer mutual support and guidance. This all takes place in a compassionate and non-judgemental setting

Family and Couples Therapy

This takes place with yourself and your immediate family unit, loved ones or significant other. It allows you all to have an open and honest conversation with each other. This helps everyone involved to understand your depression better, and the impact it’s having on you and those who are closest to you. This form of therapy is helpful as it allows you and your loved ones to plan how you can support each other moving forwards

Antidepressants and Depression Medication

Alongside CBT and other forms of therapy, we can also prescribe antidepressant medication for you to take. This can help to complement talking therapy and also acts as a further barrier against your depression.

However, for some people, antidepressants will be the first line of treatment for depression, especially when:

• Your depression is severe or comes and goes
• You have responded well to antidepressants in the past
• There is a history of depression in your family
• Your depression is making you feel suicidal

The most common type of antidepressants used to treat depression are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). A wide range of safe and effective medications to treat depression are available.  Our consultant psychiatrists can help find a treatment tailored to your needs, and can continue to see you regularly throughout your treatment.   

Antidepressants are not addictive but we know many people do have discontinuation symptoms, especially if they stop taking their antidepressants suddenly. These symptoms are not dangerous but can be unpleasant. Our expert psychiatrists can help you decide if and when to reduce and stop your antidepressants, and support you through this process when the time is right.

Complementary Treatment for Depression

Helping you to stay healthy in mind, body and spirit can play a huge role in your recovery from depression. That’s why we also offer a range of wellbeing activities and complementary treatments for depression. These may include:

• Yoga, Tai Chi and Shiatsu classes
• Meditation and relaxation classes
• Acupuncture
• Massage treatments
• Reflexology
• Aromatherapy
• Exercise classes and groups
• Guided walks
• Community-based trips and activities
• Gardening groups
• Recreational quizzes and movie nights
• Nutritional support
• Art therapy
• Psychodrama

We will also help you to learn positive lifestyle changes that you can use long after treatment, to help keep depression at bay.

These can include things like sleep hygiene methods (techniques you can use to help you get a good night’s sleep), breathing and grounding techniques, self-care for depression, and various coping mechanisms.

We’ll also teach you about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet as ways of boosting your mental health and reducing the chances of you becoming depressed again.