Feeling hopeless is often one of the hardest things about depression — it might seem like things will never get better. But treatment for depression can be very effective.

Therapy is almost always part of getting treated for depression. Sometimes, treatment also includes medication. The best treatment for you will depend on what your symptoms are, how intense they are, and what kinds of options are available where you live.

Kinds of therapy for depression

Therapy can help you manage your symptoms and feel better. Here are a few kinds of therapy that can be helpful if you’re depressed:

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT is the most common therapy for depression, and there is a lot of research backing it up. In CBT, you work with your therapist to recognize unhelpful thought patterns (like “no one likes me” or “things will always be like this”) and get better at problem-solving — like thinking through what to do when you feel overwhelmed. As you learn to change your behavior and thoughts, your mood gradually changes, too.

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)

IPT focuses on the way that your relationships affect your mood. It helps you learn communication and coping skills to strengthen your relationships with your family, friends, and romantic partners.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

Mindfulness helps you learn to observe your thoughts and feelings and be present in the moment. It can be especially useful if you tend to be very critical of yourself. MBCT combines mindfulness techniques with some aspects of CBT.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

In ACT, you learn to face your painful emotions instead of avoiding them or trying to change them. The idea is to be aware of uncomfortable thoughts or feelings without getting caught up in them. ACT can help you take action toward goals you care about, even when you’re feeling depressed.

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

DBT is often helpful for more intense depression. It’s a highly structured treatment that includes individual therapy and skills groups. DBT combines elements of CBT and mindfulness, and helps you develop problem-solving skills like tolerating distress, handling difficult situations in a healthy way, and interacting more effectively with friends and family. It can also include sessions where you and your parents learn skills together.

Medication for depression

Sometimes medication is also used as a treatment for depression. It can be helpful in a few different cases:

• If your symptoms are so intense that you can’t participate in everyday life

• If you’re too depressed to participate in therapy

• If you’ve been in therapy for a while but aren’t seeing your depression improve

Studies show that medication for depression is most helpful when it’s used in combination with therapy. If you take medication, it’s very important to work with a doctor to figure out which kind and dosage makes the most sense for you. Never take medication for depression without getting a prescription from a doctor.

The most common medications for depression are called SSRIs. Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, and Lexapro are all SSRIs.

SSRIs work by balancing the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, especially one called serotonin. (SSRI stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.) Many studies have shown that SSRIs are effective, and they usually have only mild side effects.

There are several different kinds of SSRIs, and they work differently for different people. If the first one you try doesn’t help or if the side effects are a problem, your doctor can help you adjust your dosage or try a different one. Sometimes it can take a while to find the combination that works for you.

SSRIs sometimes increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in teenagers and young adults, especially in the early stages of treatment. Because of this, you should have regular appointments with your doctor to monitor your mood during the first few weeks.

If SSRIs aren’t helpful, there are also other kinds of medication for depression that you can try, with support from your doctor.

There are also some newer treatments that are starting to be used for depression, like ketamine treatment and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). If therapy and medication aren’t helping, be sure to ask your doctor what other treatments are available.

Getting the help you need

Being depressed can make it feel very hard to ask for help. When you’re really down, you may even feel like there’s no point in trying to change things. But working with a mental health professional to get the right support can make a big difference — and it’s worth the extra effort to get started.

It’s also important to remember that you’re not in this alone. If you’re not sure where to start, ask any adult you trust (like a teacher, parent, or school counselor) for help taking the first steps, or even just tell a friend how you’re feeling. The sooner you speak up, the sooner you’ll be on the path to feeling better.