Your treatment plan for depression will depend on the type you have and how severe it is. Some people get psychotherapy. Others also take antidepressants or get other treatments. Exercise can also be part of the plan.
If those don't give you enough relief, there are more options. For instance, your doctor may suggest brain stimulation techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (also called ECT or electroshock therapy), transcranial magnetic stimulation, or vagus nerve stimulation.
If you have bipolar depression, your doctor may prescribe different types of medicines, such as mood-stabilizing drugs or certain antipsychotic medicines, instead of antidepressants.