Antidepressants: These must be chosen wisely so as to avoid side effects. They are highly effective. A host of options is available depending upon the exact type of disorder, age of patient, duration of medication and the extent of depression, cost and effectiveness. Most of these are prescription drugs and overdose can be fatal.

Psychotherapy: It is delivered by mental health professionals (psychotherapists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers) to individuals or groups. It has varied forms like Cognitive Behavior Therapy, which further has two variants- rational emotive behavior therapy and mindfulness based cognitive therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Logo therapy.

Pharmacological Augmentation: Lithium ions are used besides the augmentation of antidepressant therapy. It is used in those cases where anti depressants fail to show any results. Lithium significantly reduces the chances of suicide. Other ways are addition of triiodothyronine, a thyroid hormone, and atypical antipsychotics.

Electroconvulsive Therapy: It is a procedure in which two electrodes are used to send electricity pulses through the brain, one on each temple. The patient is given general anesthesia before this therapy as it induces seizures. It is meant to be used only under extreme circumstances when they patient fails to respond to any other treatment for severe depression. It is a greatly debated controversial mode of treatment.