Living with depression can feel exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming, especially when you have been trying to cope alone for a long time. At PROMIS, our depression treatment programmes provide intensive, evidence-based support for people whose low mood is complex, long-standing, or entangled with addiction, trauma, or major life stress. With the right specialist care, meaningful and sustained recovery from depression is possible.

WHAT IS DEPRESSION TREATMENT?

Who This Treatment Is For

Depression treatment is the process of providing medical and mental care for people who are struggling with depression. Although depression is not considered an entirely curable disease, it can be treated successfully with medication psychotherapy, or talk therapy.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of depression, a treatment centre like PROMIS can help you find the best treatment options to manage your condition.

Both medication and psychotherapy can be effective in treating the symptoms of depression. Medications may include antidepressants while psychotherapy is used to equip you with coping skills in managing your symptoms better.

Who This Treatment Is For

WHO IS DEPRESSION TREATMENT FOR?

Feel persistently low, numb, or hopeless
Have tried therapy or medication without lasting relief
Experience depression alongside addiction or compulsive behaviours
Function outwardly but feel overwhelmed internally
Are worried about relapse or long-term patterns

Types of Depression Treatment

There are a variety of treatments for depression. They include psychotherapy, medication, brain stimulation therapies, and alternative or holistic therapy.

Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy that examines the underlying factors that cause depression and teaches you some skills on how you can handle your symptoms. Some of the common psychotherapies include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT helps you understand how patterns of thinking, behaviour, and avoidance quietly maintain depression. In therapy, you’ll work collaboratively with a clinician to develop practical strategies that restore a sense of agency and momentum. Treatment usually lasts 12–20 sessions and is highly structured, making it particularly effective for people who want a clear, goal-oriented approach.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy

DBT focuses on emotional regulation and distress tolerance — skills that are particularly helpful for people whose depression is complicated by intense emotions, impulsivity, or self-destructive patterns. You’ll learn practical techniques for managing overwhelming feelings and improving interpersonal relationships. This approach is often recommended for people with a history of trauma or when depression coexists with other difficulties.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT addresses how your relationships and life transitions affect your mood. This time-limited, structured approach (typically 12–16 weeks) is especially helpful when depression is triggered by grief, role changes, isolation, or conflict. You’ll work with your clinician to identify patterns in your relationships and develop healthier ways of connecting with others.

IPT is time-limited problem-focused psychotherapy. The clinician’s goal in IPT is to help you learn healthier ways of coping with the internal and external stresses that trigger depressive symptoms. This treatment form is designed for patients with mild to moderate depression or dysthymia (chronic, low-grade depression).

We offer a wide range of mental health programmes to suit everyone’s needs. This includes therapy for depression or anxiety, and a range of workshops.

What Makes Depression Treatment at PROMIS Different?

Integrated mental health treatment — we understand how depression and other problems often coexist
Senior, experienced clinicians who specialise in complex presentations
Trauma-informed care throughout all our programmes
Individualised treatment planning based on thorough assessment
Small client numbers ensuring personalised attention
Emphasis on safety, dignity, and therapeutic containment

Medication for Depression

Similar to psychotherapy, medication plays an important role in treating depression. This treatment helps relieve symptoms of your depression, allowing you to function well in your day-to-day activities. Some of these medications include:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants and work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. They’re often the first-line treatment for depression because they’re generally well-tolerated with fewer side effects than older antidepressants. Common examples include fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and escitalopram (Lexapro). SSRIs typically take 2–4 weeks to show noticeable effects.

Norepinephrine and Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors

This type of medication inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine by the neurons that initially released them. As a result, an increased concentration of these active neurotransmitters persists in the brain, potentially leading to alterations that contribute to alleviating depressive symptoms over time.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a group of antidepressant drugs that have been used for many years to treat different forms of depression. Even though they are among the oldest antidepressants, MAOIs are still an important choice, especially for patients who do not improve with other treatments.

MAOIs work by blocking the action of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. By stopping the breakdown of these substances, MAOIs help keep their levels higher in the brain, which may enhance mood and emotional balance.

Brain Stimulation Therapies

Brain stimulation therapies are evidence-based treatments that use carefully controlled electrical or magnetic pulses to target specific brain circuits involved in depression. These include Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), and newer approaches like Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS).

These treatments are typically considered when depression hasn’t responded to therapy and medication, or when rapid response is clinically necessary. At PROMIS, decisions about whether brain stimulation might be appropriate are always made collaboratively, with careful assessment and thorough discussion of what to expect.

All brain stimulation therapies are delivered by experienced clinicians in safe, controlled settings with full medical oversight.

Alternative and Holistic Therapies

Depression is usually managed with therapy and medication in Western medicine. However, some people respond to these treatments better if they are given alternative therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, and aroma therapy.

Types of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), most commonly known as depression, is a medical condition that can affect people of any age, but it usually begins in late adolescence or early adulthood. Some of the symptoms may include depressed mood, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, weight gain or loss, feelings of worthless, and suicidal ideation.

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed medications to treat major depression because they improve mood and reduce other associated symptoms. In addition, therapy can also help you learn psychological skills to manage them.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (PDD) is a complex mental health condition and a long-lasting form of depression. It affects a person’s mood for at least two years. PDD is often mild or moderate and can start in childhood or adulthood. It was previously known as a dysthymic disorder or dysthymia.

Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression is a mental health condition that a woman can experience after pregnancy. It may begin during pregnancy or any time in the first 12 months following childbirth. Postpartum depression can last for a few days or more than one year.

It is important to know the symptoms of postpartum depression may be similar to those of other types of depression but may vary in severity. In some cases, it is possible for a woman with postpartum depression to feel better without treatment. However, the symptoms of severe depression require immediate professional help.

Major Depressive Disorder with Seasonal Patterns

Major Depressive Disorder with a Seasonal Pattern, previously called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), involves repeated episodes of depression that occur in late fall and winter, followed by times of normal mood during the rest of the year.

Causes of Depression

Recognizing the complex nature of a mental health condition such as depression means understanding its causes and risk factors. This knowledge helps professionals identify people who are more likely to experience depression and allows them to design tailored treatments. While the exact cause of depression is still not fully understood, studies have found several factors linked to its development and intensity.

Biological Factors

Changes in brain chemicals and hormone levels can lead to mood issues. In addition, having family members with depression can also raise the chances of developing this condition.

Psychological Factors

Certain traits, like low self-esteem, a negative outlook, or being overly perfectionistic, along with unhealthy coping methods like substance abuse or smoking, can make someone more likely to experience depression.

Environmental Factors

Experiencing trauma, such as abuse or neglect, and facing significant life changes like losing a loved one, going through a divorce, or losing a job can trigger or worsen symptoms of depression.

How Can I Access Treatment Options For Depression

Taking the first step can feel daunting — especially when depression has already taken so much from you.

A confidential conversation with our team can help you understand your options, without pressure or obligation. You’ll speak to an experienced clinician who understands complex depression. We’ll take time to listen, explain what treatment might look like, and answer any questions you have.

Call us on 0207 581 8222 or use the contact form below. It’s okay to just ask questions.