--- title: Treatment Options for Someone Living with Major Depressive Disorder date: 2026-09-16T13:00:12Z modified: 2026-09-18T17:08:01Z permalink: "https://lightheartassociates.com/psychology-blog/treatment-options-for-someone-living-with-major-depressive-disorder/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 3720 categories: - Depression - Medication - Mental Health Therapy - Psychotherapy tags: - Depression - Medication - Mental Health Therapy - Psychotherapy - depression treatment - living with major depressive disorder - mdd featured_image: "https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Treatment-Options-for-Someone-Living-with-Major-Depressive-Disorder.jpg" featured_image_alt: Woman holds hands with loved one who is living with major depressive disorder timestamp: 2026-09-18T17:08:01Z --- Major depressive disorder (MDD), what we commonly refer to as depression, involves persistent low mood or sadness, disruptions to sleep and appetite, a loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities, and feelings of worthlessness or shame. It often leaves people feeling hopeless, but with the right [depression treatment](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/depression-treatment-program.md) it’s possible to get back to a full, meaningful life. Most people find lasting relief through a combination of therapy and medication. If a previous attempt at treatment didn’t work out, switching therapists or finding a better-fitting psychiatric provider might lead to new insights and healing. And if medication hasn’t worked well for you, you’re not out of options: Alternative treatments like Spravato® offer hope when conventional approaches haven’t been enough. ## Therapy for Depression Therapists are trained to help people navigate depression, working to identify the beliefs or behavior patterns feeding into symptoms and building new coping strategies from there. Simply being met with unconditional positive regard from a therapist can remind someone that they’re not alone, building a foundation from which they can make positive, sustainable changes from a place of self-compassion. Many therapists take a flexible, integrative approach, drawing techniques from multiple modalities to fit each person’s individual needs. Effective depression therapy tends to be collaborative, meaning you’ll work with your therapist on goal-setting, give ongoing feedback on any adjustments you’d like to see, and explore your personal story together as part of the healing process. Common [therapy approaches for depression](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/utilizing-talk-therapy-for-depression.md) include: - **[Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/cbt-for-depression.md):** Often the frontline approach for depression, CBT helps people see how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, then use that awareness to shift patterns and lift mood. - **Interpersonal therapy (IPT):** Depression frequently brings feelings of isolation and being misunderstood. IPT takes a close look at someone’s important relationships, building new communication skills to strengthen these bonds to increase positive connections and feelings over time. - **[Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/dbt-for-depression.md):** A structured, skills-based approach, DBT helps people identify what they can realistically change in their life while building acceptance around what they can’t. - **Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT):** It’s difficult to make positive changes when you’re riddled with guilt and shame. ACT works to build self-compassion and acceptance, then uses this foundation to help people move forward. - **Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT):** Layering mindfulness onto other coping strategies helps people stay grounded in the present, rather than getting pulled into rumination about the past or worry about the future. - **Supportive therapy:** Sometimes what someone needs most is to simply feel seen and heard. Supportive therapy offers a nonjudgmental space and helps reaffirm someone’s inherent worth as they are. ### How Will I Know Therapy Is Working? Change through therapy tends to unfold gradually rather than immediately. Outside of sessions, you might start catching and pushing back on negative thought patterns, notice a slight uptick in energy, or find yourself returning to hobbies you’d lost interest in during a depressive episode. Identifying and connecting with your emotions may also start feeling more natural over time. It’s important to maintain an honest, ongoing dialogue with your therapist about your goals, what progress looks like, and what’s working (or isn’t). If you feel stuck, say so. Your therapist may adjust their approach, or refer you to someone else if they think that’s best for your treatment goals. ## Medication for Depression [Antidepressant medications](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/should-i-take-medication-for-my-depression.md) work by increasing the brain’s access to key neurotransmitters tied to mood, typically serotonin, norepinephrine, and/or dopamine. A psychiatric provider can help determine whether medication makes sense for you, and which option could be best based on your symptoms, other medications, and potential side effects. Common medication categories include:¹²³ - **Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs):** The most frequently prescribed antidepressants, SSRIs tend to be well-tolerated with manageable side effects for many. They work by blocking serotonin reabsorption, leaving more available in the brain. - **Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs):** SNRIs act on both serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is tied closely to mood, while norepinephrine influences focus and energy. - **Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs):** TCAs boost both serotonin and norepinephrine through a broader range of receptors. Once a standard treatment, they’ve largely been replaced by SSRIs and SNRIs due to a higher risk of more significant side effects and are typically reserved for when other medications haven’t worked. - **Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):** MAOIs block the enzyme responsible for clearing serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, increasing their overall availability. Like TCAs, they come with more significant side effects and are usually considered only after first-line treatments have failed. - **Other options:** Providers may also consider medications like Wellbutrin (bupropion), Auvelity (dextromethorphan-bupropion), trazodone, or mirtazapine, depending on individual symptoms. ### Finding the Right Depression Medication Your psychiatric provider will typically ask about your symptoms, whether family members have responded well to certain antidepressants, and which side effects concern you most before recommending a prescription. They’ll also account for other medications you’re taking, existing health conditions, and whether you’re pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding. Most people notice the effects of a new medication within four to six weeks of consistent use.¹ Track any side effects you experience along the way and share them with your prescriber to figure out together whether it’s the right fit. If a side effect becomes intolerable, reach out to your prescriber right away, but avoid stopping medication on your own. They can help transition you to something else or adjust your dosage until you land on the right solution. ## Alternative Treatments for Depression Most people see improvement and relief from therapy and medication within a couple of months.³ But for some, multiple medications don’t bring meaningful relief, a pattern known as [difficult-to-treat depression](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/what-is-treatment-resistant-depression.md). Even then, you’re not out of options. [Spravato®](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/spravato-treatment-program.md) is an FDA-approved specifically for depression that hasn’t responded to standard treatment. It became the first FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for difficult-to-treat depression. It works by increasing the brain’s access to glutamate, which strengthens communication between nerve cells. Additionally, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive, low-risk procedure that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate underactive areas of the brain linked to depression. It’s often a good fit for people who haven’t responded well to medication, given its minimal side effect profile. _While it can be a beneficial option for difficult-to-treat depression, our clinics don’t currently offer TMS. Learn more about [how our clinics treat depression](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/depression-treatment-program.md)._ ## Other Ways to Cope with Depression If you or someone you love may be dealing with depression, it’s important to get professional support. A therapist can help you process what you’re experiencing and build practical strategies, while a psychiatric provider can assess whether medication would help as well. Alongside professional care, certain lifestyle habits, like sleep, movement, connection, can also build momentum. Your providers can help you think through how to make some of these changes in sustainable ways. Here are a few [coping strategies for depression](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/effective-coping-skills-for-depression.md): - **Stay physically active:** Movement releases endorphins, which naturally support well-being. Aim for roughly 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, though even 10-15 minutes of daily movement can make a difference.⁴ - **Limit substance use:** Alcohol and other substances might feel like they bring relief in the moment, but they tend to impair brain function further and slow down long-term recovery.⁵ - **Prioritize quality sleep:** Sleep and mood influence each other in both directions. Since depression often disrupts sleep, focus on what’s within your control, like setting up a consistent bedtime routine, staying off screens before bed, and limiting caffeine and alcohol in the evening.⁶ - **Build a mindfulness practice:** Mindfulness helps redirect rumination and anxious thoughts back to the present, along with supporting emotion regulation.⁷ - **Stay connected:** Depression tends to isolate people, making it especially important to reach out to loved ones, even when you don’t feel like it. Let someone you trust know how you’ve been feeling and considering asking if they can check in regularly. - **Eat well:** Depression can sap appetite and motivation to eat, but getting enough nutrition, especially from fruits and vegetables, supports both brain and body function. - **Consider light therapy:** For [seasonal affective disorder](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/managing-symptoms-of-seasonal-depression.md) in particular, increasing sunlight exposure, whether outdoors or through a light therapy box, can boost mood and support healthy vitamin D levels. ## How LightHeart Mental Health Can Help with Depression LightHeart Mental Health is committed to providing compassionate, accessible mental health care throughout the [greater Seattle area](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/lightheart-psychological-associates-locations.md). Every clinic offers both therapy and psychiatric services, with care teams collaborating closely to build a treatment plan tailored to the unique needs of each person. Certain locations also offer alternative depression treatments such as Spravato® to offer our neighbors every chance at finding the relief they deserve. If you’re ready to take the first step, call \[Direct\] or [fill out a brief form](https://lightheartassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/schedule-an-appointment.md) to schedule your first appointment. **Sources:** - Antidepressants. (2025). MedlinePlus. [https://medlineplus.gov/antidepressants.html](https://medlineplus.gov/antidepressants.html) - Commonly prescribed antidepressants and how they work. (2023). MedlinePlus Magazine. [https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/commonly-prescribed-antidepressants-and-how-they-work](https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/commonly-prescribed-antidepressants-and-how-they-work) - Antidepressants: Selecting one that’s right for you. (2022). Mayo Clinic. [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/antidepressants/art-20046273) - Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms. (2023). Mayo Clinic. [https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495) - Finding Help for Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Disorders. (2025). National Institute of Mental Health. [https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health) - Tompa, Rachel. (2025). How sleep affects mental health (and vice versa): What the science says. Stanford Medicine. [https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/sleep-mental-health-connection-what-science-says.html](https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/08/sleep-mental-health-connection-what-science-says.html) - Parmentier, F. B. R., García-Toro, M., García-Campayo, J., Yañez, A. M., Andrés, P., & Gili, M. (2019). Mindfulness and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in the General Population: The Mediating Roles of Worry, Rumination, Reappraisal and Suppression. _Frontiers in psychology, 10_, 506. [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00506](https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00506)