General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
What approaches are available?
Treatment approaches include psychological therapies and medicines known as antidepressants. Different forms of support may be combined depending on the circumstances. This overview describes possibilities; it does not recommend a particular treatment for you. [1]
What is psychological therapy?
Psychological therapy is a professionally guided treatment involving conversation and, depending on the approach, exercises. Cognitive behavioural therapy is one example: It explores connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. [1]
What should you know about medicines?
Antidepressants can reduce depressive symptoms. Effects and possible side effects differ between medicines and people. Benefits may not appear immediately. Treatment with medication is supervised and reviewed by a doctor. [1]
Why is the decision personal?
The German clinical guideline calls for agreeing treatment goals together and discussing benefits and harms clearly. Personal preferences and circumstances also matter. Online information can help prepare for that conversation. [2]
What could you ask a professional?
For example: What are we aiming for? What options are available? What is known about benefits, risks and uncertainties? When will we review whether treatment is helping? These are preparation questions, not individual advice.
Do not start, change or stop treatment on your own because of this article. Discuss personal decisions with the professionals providing your care.
READ FURTHER & CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources and context
How should I interpret these sources?
Source notes identify the provider, their use in this article and known limitations. The source-comparison date below is not the original publication date. No update date is assumed where none is available. General findings cannot automatically be applied to an individual; independent medical review of this draft is pending.
- IQWiG · How is depression treated? ↗
Provider / domain: www.informedhealth.org
Plain-language overview of treatment approaches. It cannot choose a treatment for an individual person.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 3: Treatment planning ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for shared decisions, treatment goals and involving family members.
Research and source comparison: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance. Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Independent medical expert review is pending. Independent medical expert review has not taken place.